Parents from Wymondham are continuing to keep the memory of their beloved 18-month-old son alive by paying for a day of care and support from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) across Norfolk for the fifth consecutive year.
Brad and Debbie McLean received bereavement counselling from EACH after little Stanley died in July 2012, following complications with heart surgery.
They have since become stalwart fundraisers for EACH and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) – where Stanley spent months of his life – having set up the Stanley McLean Trust, that has raised over an incredible £100,000.
Brad, who is also an EACH trustee, said: “Every year we host a golf day in Stanley’s memory, with a goal of being able to pay for a day’s care at EACH, and every year we’re amazed by the support of individuals and businesses to make the day such a success. This year’s event at Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel had over 90 golfers take part and their generosity allows us to pay for a day of care at EACH on Stanley’s birthday, which is incredibly important and special to us. I want to thank everyone for helping make it possible.”
It costs EACH £5,300 a day to deliver its service for Norfolk and the Stanley McLean Trust has today donated that amount, on what would have been Stanley’s seventh birthday.
Stanley was born on 2 January, 2011 at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital, with a heart condition called tetraology of fallots that was further complicated by a missing pulmonary valve.
He underwent surgery at GOSH in London, aged just eight days old, and after three months of being in hospital Brad and Debbie were able to take him home. Stanley’s condition deteriorated at five months, though, and he had surgery again – this time a risky eight-hour operation, which took him a month to recover from.
Stanley underwent further surgery in July 2012 after a routine check showed the conduit in his heart was narrowing. Complications occurred during surgery and sadly Stanley died.
Brad added: “Knowing that Stanley’s legacy is continuing to help other families and children gives us great comfort and makes us very proud of our little boy, and especially to know he is remembered and thought of by so many.”
Carol Plunkett, EACH Norfolk Fundraising Manager, said: “Brad and Debbie continue to be fantastic supporters and in doing so keep Stanley’s memory well and truly alive. The Stanley McLean Trust has done brilliant work to celebrate Stanley’s life and all the money it raises helps us continue providing care and support for hundreds of families going through the situation his family once was.”
Brad, originally from Canada, is also general manager of Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel, that is part of the nook business network.
The network exists to support the nook appeal, EACH’s £10 million vision to transform children’s palliative care across Norfolk, including the building of a new hospice. Companies of all sizes can get involved by committing to raise £10,000 – like Thorpeness – £15,000 or £25,000 over the course of the appeal in return for various benefits.
For more information about EACH go to www.each.org.uk.
