Brave boy back home after losing both legs
1:01pm Friday 5th September 2008
YOUNG boy who lost both legs to meningitis has made an emotional return home, after seven weeks in hospital.
Relatives and friends turned out in force to welcome Robbie Jones, thankful to still have him alive.
Parents Wayne Jones and Jill Graham feared for their 23-month-old son's life after waking one night in July to find him covered in black and blue bruise-like marks.
For the whole family, the next seven weeks would be like a horrible dream. Wayne and Jill kepta24-hourvigilattheirson's Newcastle hospital bedside.
They were devastated when doctors revealed they had been forced to amputate both legs, the right above the knee and the left below. Robbie also lost finger ends.
But the plucky youngster pulled through and was allowed to return home, to Millford Way, in Bowburn, on Thursday.
Waiting for him were balloons, banners and dozens of cards.
Ms Graham, 28, said: "We were a bit nervous about coming home. He's had 24- hour care in hospital. But I said we've got to get on with it.
"The welcome was lovely."
Mr Jones, 35, said: "You just don't think things like this happen to people like us. If we hadn't woken up that night, he wouldn't be here."
Doctors are hoping to give Robbie prosthetic legs and are confident he will walk again.
Wayne and Jill, who were due to be married during Robbie's stay in hospital, say they will re-schedule their wedding so he can walk down the aisle with his mum.
Family and friends are now planning a series of events to raise money for Robbie, the Meningitis Trust and Crawford House, where Wayne and Jill, stayed while Robbie was in hospital.
Ms Graham said: "Everybody wants to do something to help, but they don't know what.
These are going to help us."
Among the fundraisers being planned are a disco night at their local workingmen's club, in Bowburn, tomorrow, at 7.30pm, with admission £3 on the door, a music night and auction at Shotton Colliery WMC, on October 14, admission for which is £2.50, also payable on the door.
It culminates with Robbie's Night, an evening of entertainment, at Durham's Gala Theatre, on Friday October 17, at 7.30pm.
The line-up features comics Sue Sweeney and Alfie Joey, music from the Caffrey's, plus a performance by the Gala Theatre Stage School.
It has been given the backing of stand-up comic Paddy McGuinness, best-known as Peter Kay's sidekick in TV series Phoenix Nights, plus Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.
The Bolton-based comedian began a 33-date UK tour at the Gala Theatre on Wednesday, but cast aside first night nerves to meet and greet Robbie and family before the show.
He wished them well with the concert evening, and endorsed it with his TV catchphrase "That'll Ding, Dang, Do".
Mrs Graham said: "It's great of Paddy to offer support like this.
"The theatre technical manager just mentioned it to him, and he said we should come down with Robbie and get photos with him.
"It's a lovely gesture."
Tickets for Robbie's Night, costing £20, are available via robbiesnight.co.uk, or from the Gala box office, on 0191- 332-4041.