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Thursday 10th May

The six-month-old has been on the transplant list since February after being struck down with a rare illness.

The condition attacks her liver and affects just one in 15,000 babies.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/poolfarmvets.

Now first-time parents Sebastian Daly and Charlotte Rogers have revealed their daughter could have just months to live without a replacement liver.

They are constantly on standby waiting for a call which gives them two hours to get Imogen to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for the operation.

Sebastian, a 32-year-old vet, of Main Road, Betley, said: “Imogen has liver failure and a transplant is now the only solution.

“We just don’t know when the transplant is going to happen. We could get the call in a day or it could be in 10 minutes.

“Without the operation she won’t reach the age of two or three. She might not even get to one if she doesn’t have a transplant.”

Imogen underwent an unsuccessful three-hour operation over Christmas to try to treat her condition.

The billiary atresia illness had been confirmed at Birmingham Children’s Hospital on December 22, just days after Imogen had started to become distressed.

She has returned home, but must take eight drugs a day to boost her strength.

Charlotte, aged 34, who is engaged to Sebastian and works as a vet in Shropshire, said: “We were looking forward to the birth of this new person, and then we learn that she might not be here in a few months.

“It’s like hell. But we’ve had absolutely amazing care from all the staff at the hospitals in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent.

“The car is always full of fuel so we don’t even have to think about going to a petrol station, and even the kennels are on standby to take our three dogs if we have to leave at a moment’s notice.”

There is no known cause of billiary atresia, which involves an abnormality and leads to vitamin deficiency, jaundice, stunted growth and ultimately, liver failure.

If a transplant is carried out, Imogen should lead a normal, healthy life.

Sebastian, who owns Pool Farm Veterinary Surgery, in Betley, is to take part in this year’s Great North Run for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation.

He has raised more than £2,800, and hopes to reach a target of £15,000 in time for the September half-marathon.

He added: “As new parents, you are inundated with information about conditions such as leukaemia, but there are nothing like the same resources out there to explain about liver conditions.

“The foundation has been very supportive and we would like to do something in return.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/poolfarmvets.

GRANDMOTHER Glenys Lightfoot cast aside any thoughts of a peaceful retirement to embark on a charity drive to raise more than £40,000 for her community.

The 80-year-old, of Moss Lane, Madeley, has spent the last 15 years holding fund-raising initiatives in the area to support community efforts.
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And last night the grandmother-of-four was pushed into the spotlight at an award ceremony aimed at celebrating community spirit.

Glenys, a retired care home worker, was handed the Unsung Hero accolade at the first Madeley and District Awards Evening, organised by the Madeley Residents’ Association.

Mother-of-two Glenys, who moved to the area in 1955, has helped raise cash to support the area’s church, village hall and other community projects.

She said: “I retired when I was 65 and just wanted to help.

“I have arranged bingo sessions, sales, quizzes, just to help raise money.

“I just love organising things and I have a brilliant team that helps me.”

Organisers accepted nominations from the community before a judging panel sat down to assess the entrants.

The area’s three schools, Sir John Offley Primary School, Meadows Primary School and Madeley High School, were also invited to nominate pupils.

Winner Zoe Bailey, a pupil at Sir John Offley, was recognised for her efforts in helping fellow youngsters.

The nine-year-old said: “If I see people struggle I just like to help them.”

The Caisley family, of Moss Lane, scooped the Best Neighbour award for their efforts in helping wildlife in the area.

Jacqui Caisley, aged 25, a shop worker, said: “It started when ducks were getting fishing wire caught on them and we would help them.

“Now whenever there is a stray or hurt animal we tend to take them in.”

Chairman of Madeley Tidy Group Sue Machin won the Spirit of Madeley award for her efforts in maintaining floral displays in the area.

The 65-year-old retired social worker, of Waterside Close, said: “There are 12 volunteers and we litter pick and look after the flower beds.

“I enjoy doing it and taking pride in the village.”

Association chairman David Whitmore, who is also vice chairman of Madeley Parish Council, said: “The idea came about a year ago as we felt there were a lot of individuals and groups in the area who did a lot, but didn’t get the recognition.

“We would like to make this an annual event and in the future include more areas in the district.”

Other winners included: Meadows Primary School Young Personality, Laura Wright; Business of the Year, The Old Hall; Emergency Services, Madeley First Responders; Outstanding Contribution, Doris Owen; Community Project, Madeley Fishing Club; Community Event, Betley Bonfire; Rural Champion, Gordon Lancaster; Special Award, to the late Labour councillor Bill Sinnott, collected by his wife Sue Sinnott.

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