Steps in the right direction for St Oswald's Hospice

Jul 30 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A COUPLE whose son died from a rare disease are raising funds for the hospice that cared for him by taking part in a Starlight Stroll.

Paul and Julie Lisle, both 37, from Fulwell, in Sunderland, are helping St Oswald’s Hospice Children’s Service launch its first night-time event.

Their son, Scott, benefited from the specialist short breaks service at the Hospice for two years, until he sadly died last month, aged three years and eight months.

And now his family are taking part in the Stroll in Scott’s memory in the hope their involvement will encourage other walkers to sign up.

Julie, said: “Scott had a condition which was a very rare form of Retts Syndrome affecting the production of protein in the brain. The condition is so rare in boys that Scott was the only recorded case anywhere in the world.

“Before Scott stayed with St Oswald’s for short breaks, we’d had no overnight respite. Paul and I were Scott’s carers, 24-7. Although we were anxious at first, once we visited the service, we knew that Scott, and the whole family, would benefit from the care and love they provided.”

The five-mile Stroll will take place on Friday, September 25, during Children’s Hospice Week, at the Stadium of Light.

Entry is £12 per person donation and all participants will receive a T-shirt to wear . Anyone interested should call 0870 700-3030, email lyncain@stoswaldsuk.org, text GIVE.SSS to 81400, or sign up online at www.stoswaldsuk.org