Leyland mum to do abseil for Manchester Children's Hospital

A woman will abseil down a 240ft building for the hospital which treats her two daughters who have brittle bone disease.
Back left to right Kath Balshen and Jemma Salkeld.
Front row left to right: Ellie Cartmell, Joanne Loftus, Paula Barton and Bella CartmellBack left to right Kath Balshen and Jemma Salkeld.
Front row left to right: Ellie Cartmell, Joanne Loftus, Paula Barton and Bella Cartmell
Back left to right Kath Balshen and Jemma Salkeld. Front row left to right: Ellie Cartmell, Joanne Loftus, Paula Barton and Bella Cartmell

Paula Barton, of Leyland, is preparing to cascade down Liberty Heights in Manchester on May 13 to raise funds for Manchester Children’s Hospital.Her two daughters, Ellie, nine, and four-year-old Bella, regularly attend for maintenance treatment.Paula, 28, said: “My daughters have osteogenesis imperfect (brittle bone disease), which runs in the family. Their dad, Darren Cartmell, has it.“Their bones break really easily. They are not allowed to do any contact sport. They can’t go on a trampoline or bouncy castle as they can’t put any pressure on their spine.“They get daily aches and pains. Most of the time it doesn’t bother them, but when they are missing out on a party with a bouncy castle, they get a bit annoyed.“They wish they could do the things other children can do.“There is no cure for the condition but they go to Manchester Children’s Hospital for zoledronic acid infusions.”The hospital also supported Paula’s family when five-and-a-half-month-old Duke Barton died from meningitis two years ago.Paula added: “We wanted to raise funds to say thank you. The hospital was great when Duke died.“Doctors did everything possible to try and save his poor little life.“Staff have done a lot for us. My daughters enjoy going, as the nurses are lovely and there is always something going on to make them happy, rather than feeling anxious.“It is such a great hospital.”Paula will be joined by her sister Joanne Loftus, her sister-in-law Kath Balshen and friend Jemma Salkeld, all of Leyland.She added: “When I signed up, I thought we were abseiling down the hospital building, but it is actually Liberty Heights which is much bigger, at 240ft.“I have never done an abseil before. I am really nervous about it but it will be worth it to help the hospital.”Paula aims to raise £1,000 through the event.To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bigdrop4kids?utm_source=Facebook

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