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.
“We just try our best to keep him well by making sure he has his medication properly.”
Joel’s aortic valve is too narrow, creating a bottle neck which affects the blood flow around his heart.
He is under the expert care of medics at LGI – where he will one day undergo more surgery.
His family have already raised more than £4,000 for the unit to say thank you for his treatment.
Now Jodie is aiming to raise another £1,000 with her sponsored skydive on April 10.
Gaynor added: “I was overjoyed when she said she was doing it.
“She is a braver woman than me.
“She has always been so interested in what was happening to Joel.
“We will be there on the day to cheer her on.”
Jodie, of Blackmoorfoot Road, said: “I’m petrified of flying but I just wanted to do something worthwhile for Gaynor’s family and all the other kids who need treatment there.
“I also wanted to do something that challenges me and this definitely will.
“I’m a mum myself and it has broken my heart seeing what Gaynor has gone through. I don’t know how she gets through each day.
“I’m petrified but I will do it and just think about what all those families go through.”
To make a donation log onto www.justgiving.com/JoelyB
