Wave of hope for little Leonie

Better now: Leonie is back at home and fighting fit

AN Oldham youngster whose family holiday turned to horror when she was rushed to hospital has inspired a legion of fund-raising mums.

Ten-year-old Leonie Kay fell seriously ill on a cruise after seasickness led to complications with her diabetes.

Unable to retain insulin, the youngster’s blood-sugar levels rose to dangerous levels.

Between Madeira and Spain the ship was forced to dock so Leonie could be taken to intensive care.

Mum Louise said: “It just wasn’t dropping so she had to be taken to intensive care. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared.”

Leonie and her dad Anthony stayed at the Spanish hospital for eight days before Leonie was well enough to travel. But the rest of the family was forced to reboard the ship by insurers.

Louise added: “It was awful. I’ve never felt as bad in my life as when I had to leave Leonie in hospital.”

Now the brave little girl, who has to inject herself with insulin four times a day, is safely back home in Moorside. Grandma Margaret Kay told colleagues at Saddleworth Mothers’ Club what had happened and they have raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which funds research into the condition in children.

The women, with another local sufferer, Jake Robinson, have presented a £500 cheque to the JDRF.


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