Wrexham baby Isaac becomes face of Hope House Christmas appeal

Summarised from The Leader's report · Updated 5 Nov, 10:19 · Archive

A one-year-old from Wrexham diagnosed with Foetal Hydrops is featuring in Hope House Children's Hospice's Christmas appeal.

One-year-old Isaac Venables from Gwersyllt in Wrexham is starring in Hope House Children's Hospice's Christmas appeal this year. The campaign, landing through more than 42,000 letterboxes this week, aims to raise £125,000. Isaac was diagnosed with Foetal Hydrops during a routine pregnancy scan at 32 weeks. The condition caused dangerous fluid build-up around his lungs, abdomen and under his skin, and doctors initially told his parents, Vickie and Nick, that he was unlikely to survive the pregnancy or birth.

Their consultant suggested they contact Hope House. Vickie said: 'We didn't really know what a children's hospice did. We just thought we'd accept the support and see if we needed it. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we've ever made.' Over the following weeks, the hospice's neonatal team attended appointments, helped the family navigate difficult conversations and supported them in preparing Isaac's older brother, Jacob, for the uncertain outcome ahead. Isaac has survived and is now one year old.

Read the report

• Gwersyllt baby Isaac stars in Hope House Christmas appeal aiming to raise £125,000Wrexham baby Isaac Venables stars in Hope House Christmas appeal after Foetal Hydrops diagnosis.The Leader · 4 Nov, 14:49

In this story: Isaac Venables · Vickie Venables · Nick Venables · Hope House Children's Hospice · Gwersyllt · Wrexham

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