Jodie Asquith in parachute jump for Joel Bearder’s heart surgery appeal

Feb 20 2010 by Anne-Marie Senior, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Jumping for Joel’s heart surgery appeal

A COWLERSLEY mum was so touched by a Linthwaite boy’s fight for life, she is conquering her biggest fear.

Jodie Asquith, 27, will jump from 14,000 feet when she takes part in a tandem skydive in April – even though she is terrified of flying.

The mum-of-two is raising money for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, based at Leeds General Infirmary.

Her brave challenge came after watching her cousin’s son Joel Bearder survive life-saving treatment at the hospital.

The two-and-a-half-year-old was born in 2007 with a serious heart condition affecting his aortic valve.

His heartbroken parents Gaynor and Antony – who have another son Lucas, six – watched as their newborn underwent surgery days after being born.

But the cheeky youngster defied medics who said he may not pull through by going from strength to strength.

Now, as he approaches age three, Joel is enjoying all the normal things boys his age are doing.

But his heart still relies on medication three times a day to help his circulation.

And his family dread the day when he will have to risk open heart surgery to mend his faulty valve for good.

Mum Gaynor, 36, said: “He will need the valve replacing, we just don’t know when.

“The doctors are hoping it will be when he’s around nine or 10, but it all depends how quickly it deteriorates.

“People forget that and think he’s better, which makes it hard.