Tribute to a loving mum

Apr 15 2009 by Katy Simpson, The Journal

A YOUNG mother who cared full time for her cerebral palsy sufferer daughter died on her first night out for two years.

Last night tributes were paid to devoted mum Joanne Sayers, 25, who was enjoying a drink with friends in Consett, County Durham, on Easter Sunday when she collapsed and died.

The mum-of-three from Catchgate, County Durham, was full-time carer for her five-year-old daughter Leah. It was the first time in two years she had enjoyed a night out with childhood friend Lisa Robinson and next-door neighbour Dawn Hancock.

Tragedy struck at around 10.30pm, after just three drinks, when they were in the Coach and Horses pub in Consett. Joanne complained of suffering from a numb sensation down her arm and within minutes she collapsed.

She was taken outside on to Front Street and a former nurse, who had also been drinking in the pub, rushed to her aid and tried to revive her.

But despite her efforts and those of paramedics, there was nothing that could be done to save her. She was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital, before boyfriend Dale Ross reached her side.

Dale is trying to stay strong for the sake of their 13-month-old baby Dale junior, Leah and Drew, three. He is waiting for the results of post-mortem examinations to find out what caused Joanne’s death.

The devastated dad described her as a “devoted mum” as he paid tribute to the love of his life, who he was planning to propose to in just a few weeks’ time.

He said: “The children were her life. She absolutely doted on them. I was at home with the kids when it happened. I put my phone on silent because the little one was trying to sleep, so I didn’t get the calls in time. I didn’t get to the hospital in time.”

Dale thanked friends and family who supported him, particularly with the children.

It is not the first time the family has been hit by tragedy, as Joanne’s first child Leah had a twin, Jake, who died just four weeks after he was born. Doctors at first thought Leah would not survive, as she almost died four times in hospital as a baby, and she was left with cerebral palsy. But Joanne took it all in her stride and was determined to make sure Leah had the best start in life, studying at Villa Real Special School in Durham.

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