Family fundraising for Alder Hey after surgery saves newborn's bowel

Harry Joseph Pickett, from Grappenhall Heys, was born on January 28 this year.

But just two days after he entered the world, Harry was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital from Warrington Hospital’s neonatal unit.

This was due to him having volvulus which occurs when a loop of intestine twists around itself and the mesentery that supplies it, causing a bowel obstruction.

Harry was vomiting green and was not tolerating his feeds.

At Alder Hey, he underwent an hour long emergency laparotomy to untwist his bowels. He also had his appendix removed to allow for his bowel to fit back into his abdomen.

His mum Jessica Wright said: “We were told by surgeons and anaesthetists that they did not know the extent of his condition and that he may need to have some of his bowel removed or need a stoma.

“Thankfully, all of his bowel was saved, and all blood flow returned when they untwisted his bowels.”

Harry, who is now 12 weeks old, was able to come home a week after his surgery and has since recovered ‘really well’ and is ‘the happiest little boy’.

His family are now on a mission to fundraise for Alder Hey as they say they ‘would not be here today’ without the hospital and its ‘superhero’ staff.

“We wouldn’t be here today without Alder Hey and the support from all members of staff on ward 1C,” Jessica said.

“They are real life superheroes, and we will forever be indebted to them.

“Harry’s surgery was around an hour long and myself and my partner Jamie were waiting in his room to hear how the surgery went and what condition his bowel was in.

“We heard the nurses cheer outside before they opened the door to tell us that all of his bowel had been saved in surgery.

“We were obviously very relieved, but I think it was so lovely to hear the nurses champion Harry on like that.

“It really shows the depth of their care for the children and families, and I will never forget that.”

Jessica, her mum Debbie Dolan, and her brother Daniel Dolan Taylor have decided to climb Snowdon to fundraise for the hospital.

But there is a twist, they will be doing the climb at night.

Their goal is to raise £500 before the trek which will take place on August 11.

You can donate to their fundraising efforts here.