Charlie is ready for school after life-saving surgery

Charlie Hammerton’s mum Emma was shocked to learn that her son had a blockage in his urethra which had caused substantial damage to his right kidney when she was 32 weeks pregnant with him.

Doctors were unsure whether his kidney would function after birth and at just 15-hours-old, Charlie had his first operation at Jessop wing in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to fit a suprapubic catheter.

After that he was transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital and by the time he was eight-weeks-old, Charlie had undergone multiple lifesaving operations to stretch his urethra.

His right kidney had to be removed in January this year, but now Charlie, of Rotherham, is looking forward to joining his new class mates for classes Ryecroft Infant School in Rawmarsh next month.

Proud mum Emma said: “We take every day as it comes, Charlie is the happiest little boy and makes everyone smile. He is really looking forward to making new friends and wants to be a footballer when he grows up.”

During the multiple times that Charlie was in hospital, his family were supported by The Sick Children’s Trust with free ‘home from home’ accommodation at Magnolia and Treetop Houses, two of the charity’s ten houses nationwide which have been set up to support families with seriously ill children in hospital.

Emma, who is a mum-of-four added: “The Sick Children’s Trust’s ‘Homes from Home’ made it so much easier to function as a family, as it meant that when my other children came to visit Charlie in hospital, we had somewhere to go back to afterwards.

“Having the space to eat, play games and spend time together was so important.

“As Charlie starts this new adventure, I am looking back on how far he has come and want to thank The Sick Children’s Trust for its support over the years.”

The Sick Children’s Trust supports around 4,000 families every year with free ‘home from home’ accommodation.

Ann Wyatt, Treetop and Magnolia House Manager said it was ‘lovely’ to hear Charlie was doing well.

Visit www.sickchildrenstrust.org.