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Superfit gran sets target in memory of Yeadon grandson
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| Susan Ross, who will be running in memory of her grandson |
A woman whose baby grandson died after being diagnosed with serious heart problems is raising money in his memory.
Fitness and art teacher Susan Ross, 56, is taking part in Jane Tomlinson's Run for All in Leeds next month to raise funds for the city-based Children's Heart Surgery Fund in memory of eight-month-old Orion.
Her only grandson died in November months after being diagnosed with heart defects.
Susan's daughter Holly, who lives in Yeadon, said he had suffered from breathlessness since he was five months old.
He was found to have serious problems including a hole in the heart and narrowing of the aortic valve. He underwent open heart surgery and spent three months in hospital but died after contracting an infection.
Holly, 26, said: "With a heart condition like that, it is never going to get better. Any sort of infection is going to be a problem and they think that's what it was in the end."
While Orion was being treated his parents were able to stay in special accommodation at the Leeds General Infirmary, and it was the help the whole family received which has sparked Susan to embark on her fund-raising.
"I think it's nice to be able to do it for the Children's Heart Surgery Fund because it must have cost a small fortune to look after Orion," Holly said.
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| Orion, Susan's grandson. |
Susan, from Addingham, has previously raised money for other charities and has taken part in the New York marathon in aid of Mencap.
She said: "I have done different events but I didn't have the same personnal involvement. Raising money for this means a lot to me because they did their best for my grandson. It is very personal.
"It has been tough but doing something like this makes you focus on something positive. I could sit around thinking why us, why me?' but what is the point of that?"
She said the staff at the hospital were fantastic and had enabled the family to have extra months with Orion.
Susan, who is an artist, fitness trainer and lifestyle coach, is donating fees from her 1,000th keep-fit session and her 3,000th art class to the LGI fund and to Macmillan Cancer Support.
She said a close friend had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and that her own mother died from the disease.
Susan is also planning to run Cancer Research UK's Race for Life in Skipton next month.
Anyone who wants to support her fundraising should log on to justgiving.com/sueross or raceforlifesponsorme.org/susanross1.
Details of her classes are available on 07962 187533.
1:40pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mandy, Otley on 1:06pm Fri 9 May 08
Well done. I am also running the Race for Life in Skipton and the Race for All in Leeds in June. I have lost 3 members of my family to cancer in the last 3 years so any money I raise is worth the aching legs.
Well done. I am also running the Race for Life in Skipton and the Race for All in Leeds in June. I have lost 3 members of my family to cancer in the last 3 years so any money I raise is worth the aching legs.
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