Fundraiser to help parents of Derry infant due to undergo open-heart surgery in London next week

A fundraising night is to be held this weekend in a bid to help a local couple whose infant son is due to undergo open-heart surgery in London next week.

In the 14 weeks since he was born, little James McBride has only spent just over one week at his Derry home with his mum and dad, Annemarie and Kevin, and big sister, Anna (2).

James was fitted with a tracheostomy tube to help him breathe when he was five weeks old and will fly out to St Thomas’ Hospital on Sunday ahead of the major surgery which is scheduled for Tuesday next.

James was being cared for at Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast but has recently been transferred to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry to be closer to his family.

His grandparents, James and Christine Nicholas, spoke of how challenging the past 14 weeks has been for the whole family.

Christine said: “James is as bright as a button, he’s a very pleasant baby but he needs 24/7 care given the complications that can arise with the tracheostomy pipe.

“If the pipe came out or if he was sick, two carers need to be there. He can be fed with a bottle but he only takes very small amounts as he tires easily.

“It has been tough going for everyone but especially Annemarie and Kevin. They feel bad spending so much time with James and leaving Anna but at the same time they want to be by James’ side as much as possible in case anything happens.” . Granda James added: “James will need 24/7 care for the next two years at least. His doctors are hoping that in that time his windpipe will grow and he won’t need the tracheostomy pipe but we’ll have to wait and see.

“His mum is a children’s nurse in Altnagelvin Hospital but she never thought that she would be nursing her own child. They do all they can but they can’t be with him day and night.

“They will travel to London on the 24th, the operation will be on the 26th - all we can do now is leave him in the hands of the experts,” he said.

The fundraiser will take place in Pitcher’s Wine Bar at Foyle Golf Club this Friday night.

On the night there will be music, a raffle and an auction, starting starting at 8.00pm.

James’ parents are also appealing for carers who would like to assist baby James with all training being provided by the NHS.