Former nurse raises funds in memory of son, 32, who died from brain haemorrhage

Daniel died when he was just 32-years-old

A former nurse celebrated her 60th birthday at the Penwortham Golf Club by dedicating her special day to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity’s Children’s Appeal in memory of her beloved eldest son Daniel.

Julie Appleby organised a raffle and tombola plus asked her 120 guests, who partied to local band The Brothers of Swing, to make a donation to the appeal in lieu of a gift.

Altogether this raised £1,665 that Julie and husband Michael, who are also parents to Richard (32) and Lucy (27), topped up to £2,000.

They then added the sum to an earlier donation of £4,000, which included some savings that Daniel, an electrician, had had with money gifted in his memory.

Including a donation from Julie’s company, New Springs Family Care Ltd, which she founded shortly before Daniel died in 2017 of a catastrophic brain haemorrhage when he was just 32-years-old.

Julie, who first qualified as a nurse in 1985 and worked at both the Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble Hospitals until she became a health visitor in 2002, said: “When he was 11-years-old, Daniel was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

“Type 1 diabetes can be very difficult to control in teenagers and Daniel was admitted on to the Children’s Ward at the Royal Preston Hospital a number of times.

“It became a second home in that it was somewhere Daniel felt safe and comfortable and where we as a family felt well supported.”

After reading about the Children’s Appeal, which is aiming to raise £1 million for a wish list of items to bring about a raft of improvements to children’s in and outpatients at the Royal Preston Hospital, and all other children’s facilities managed by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Julie felt compelled to get involved in tribute to Daniel.

Julie, who also worked for the Sure Start programme, which supported parents with babies and young children, explained: “I saw that one of the appeal’s projects was to refurbish the Children’s Ward parents’ area at the Royal Preston.

“I think this is great idea as it is important that parents have somewhere to go to give themselves a breather. I asked if our donation could go specifically to this and have now been told it will.”

Appeal fundraiser Lucy Clark confirmed: “We are hoping to start work on refurbishing the parents’ area very soon. Our aim is to make it a calm space for parents to take time out.

“They will be able to make hot drinks and fresh food so they are not relying on vending machines. We are incredibly grateful to Julie, her family and friends for supporting the refurbishment project.

“From both a professional and personal perspective, Julie is able to totally understand why this project is one of the cornerstones of our Children’s Appeal.”

Julie, who celebrates her 40th wedding anniversary in August, said: “I am lucky to have such a generous family, friends and staff, who have willing helped us raise our donation.

“I’d like to publicly thank them all. Losing Daniel is something we will never get over but it helps knowing we can support other families in his name.”

To watch a video explaining more about the Children’s Appeal, become involved or make a donation, go to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity website.