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Brida Elizabeth Heartford 25.1.2007 - 23.3.2008

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chiprafp

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After the Sad loss of baby Brida, The late daughter of Cpl Damo Heartford, RAFP, I urge all visitors to this site to visit http://www.justgiving.com/brida and make a dontation. It couldn't help Brida but maybe your generosity will help children who find themselves in the same position in the future.

Rest in peace little one.

"Brida was born one year ago on the 25th January 2007, with a very rare genetic condition in which the skin and internal body linings blister at the slightest knock or rub, causing painful, open wounds. The condition is known as Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). Brida had the most severe form, Herlitz Junctional EB and her little life was severly limited; Brida eventually died on 23rd March 2008, aged 14 months as the result of malnutrition and anaemia, caused by serious external and internal blistering.
There was just a 1 in 17,000 chance for Brida to have been born with EB. She inherited the condition from her parents who were not aware that they were carriers of the EB Gene until little Brida was born with the skin missing from the fingers on both her hands. They had no prior warning that she would be affected.
We were told that she was only expected to live for a few months but this brave little girl astounded everyone by making her first birthday. Brida's health deteriorated, with sores spreading all over her tiny body and breaking down her internal organs but Stacey and Damo were still able to manage her condition at home; This amazing achievement was made possible with not only the love and care of a remarkable mummy and daddy, but also with the support of a team of specialist EB nurses based out of Great Ormond Street Hospital. DebRA UK fund these wonderful people, who are able to give care to affected families by visiting them in their own homes, and by being on 24 hour call should any advice be needed. Without DeBRA these wonderful people wouldn't be able to give the support that the family needs to get by.
In an attempt to raise awareness of her little girls condition and to help raise funds for this wonderful charity, Bridas mum, my daughter Stacey is to take part in the April 2008 Flora London Marathon. This is her way of showing her gratitude to DebRA for the care the family has received, and ensuring that in raising funds to help future sufferers little Brida's life will not have been in vain.

Stacey and Damo would like me to pass on special thanks to all those in the RAF and Army in Cyprus who have shown them so much support over the last difficult year, and to RAFs Aldergrove, Lyneham, Marham , Waddington, the DAC Melton and to the Chameleons hockey club..
Our heartfelt thanks also go to all of our family, friends and the many people we don't even know, for your continued love, support, and prayers; they have been and will remain a constant comfort to us, as do the messages you leave here; your kindness will never be forgotten.

Brida Elizabeth Heartford 25.1.2007 - 23.3.2008
There is a star in the sky named after Brida, it is shining more brightly now. Our beautiful little butterfly baby, no longer in pain"
 
Gutted

Gutted

Never knew the family,but it makes me feel incredibly gutted whenever I hear that a young 'un has passed before their parents, especially one so small :PDT_Xtremez_21:

I'll whang some geld their way shortly and hope it leads to something good.......

Think I may have found my reason for a charity parachute jump.....we'll see eh?
 
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What a beautiful little girl she was. Come payday i will be donating as well.

To the family, i am so sorry for your loss.
 
How very, very sad. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. I will contribute on pay day, that's for sure.

God bless little one.
 
Well done Chip!

Well done Chip!

Nice one for highlighting this valuable cause, Chip - I'm gutted for Stace & Damo; news like this makes me really appreciate my own little princesses.

We've just been on the site & made a donation - come on you lot, crack-out those flexible friends!

:PDT_Xtremez_28:
 
I thank all of you who have donated, its very touching and makes me realise just how great Goaters are!

From the bottom of my heart........Thankyou!
 
I Don't know the family but they have all my sympathy and always sad when the loss is a child so young.

Donation heading along once i finish shift and get my wallet.

Sleep well.
 
I thank all of you who have donated, its very touching and makes me realise just how great Goaters are!

From the bottom of my heart........Thankyou!

Chip no need for thanks, this is the what the goat is all about and without sounding too pink and fluffy, its what makes me proud to be a member! I will be chucking a few quid their way hope it helps and my thoughts are with the family.
 
I know there are no need for thanks but you have no idea how proud it makes me to see this community at work!
 
I know there are no need for thanks but you have no idea how proud it makes me to see this community at work!

Lisa's right mate, it's what makes the world go around!

I'll apologise in advance, by the way, for 'bumping' this one up whenever the need arises...

:PDT_Xtremez_28:
 
*Bump*

Here follows an email from Bridas Gran-


Hello
I just wanted to send you an update on the family and on our fundraising for DebRA. It is now just three months since Brida's funeral and we have been overwhelmed by the messages of comfort and support from everyone in what has been a very difficult time. I am happy to tell you all that Stacey and Damo are doing fine, as are we all. Stacey is working again now and keeping very busy,
Thanks to your help, we've managed to raise just under the £12,000 target,
Please send my Justgiving page on to anyone else who you think might like to donate. I have worked out that we just need 332 people to donate £2.00 and we could make it - we have 6 weeks before the page expires.
http://www.justgiving.com/brida
Thank you all once again for your tremendous support, this message has gone out to everyone who has donated, and I know that some of you have donated more than once - your overwhelming generosity has not gone un noticed!
best wishes Stephanie ( for those who don't know I am Brida's Granny)
P.S. I used Justgiving to send this email, so please don't reply to it. Replies will go to Justgiving, not to me!

Cheers to all who have donated and thanks to those who will :)
 
A final update on the appeal:

Hello
http://www.justgiving.com/brida closes on 15th August, and I just wanted to let you all know that WE DID IT! thanks to all your generosity, we have exceeded our target and I am so pleased.
Justgiving sends your donation straight to DebRA and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you're a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more.
If you wish to continue to support DebRA, than please encourage all of your contacts to visit these pages www.justgiving.com/brida-elizabeth - this is my new memorial page for Brida, and I have set it up to enable you to join us in remembering her special days by leaving messages and donating a small sum to this wonderful charity to ensure that Brida's life will not have been in vain.
www.justgiving.com/run-nurses-run, family friend Maria is running the Robin Hood half Marathon for DebRA on 14th September in Brida's name.
www.justgiving.com/gnr4brida - Stacey & Damo's close friend Lou will be taking part in three half Marathon's this year to raise funds in Brida's name
It is my mission to raise as much awareness about EB and as much cash for DebRA as I can
Thank you for your continued love and support. Our lives will never be the same but we are recovering - there are babies, children and adults out there that still need our help.
With very best wishes
Stephanie

On a personal level i would like to thank all the Goat members who donated, it proves that the Goat is filled with people who have big hearts and matching pockets.

Thankyou!
 
Donation made matey. I was away earlier this year when everone else was donating but better late than never.

My heart felt sympathy goes out to the family. I hope I will never know what it is to loose a child.
 
Again, better late than never. i know Stacey and Damo very well and baby Brida when she was here with us. She was a beautiful little girl with the brightest eyes you have seen. In Stacey and Damo, i have never, and doubt i will ever, see a couple so strong and in love and would like to say personaly from the bottom of my heart i am so proud of them both and as well to all goaters who once again have proved there is such thing as a caring community.xxx
 
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