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Charity ball planned to raise cash in Ben's name
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| Ben Stirland |
THE family of a boy who died after choking on a pen are holding a black tie charity ball to raise cash for a fund set up in his name.
Ben's Fund is in aid of the unit that cared for 13-year-old Ben Stirland, who fell off his chair after getting a pen lodged in his throat as he did his homework.
The family have organised the event as they continue to push for the banning of removable pen tops.
Ben's mother, Nathalie Hodgson, 38, a youth worker of Castleside, near Consett, said: "My husband, David, and I were away in Southern Ireland celebrating our wedding anniversary while the children spent some time with their grandparents
"An agonising 15-hour struggle to get back to Ben ensued when a storm hit Ireland and grounded flights.
"Nearly 48 hours after the accident, Ben slipped away from us on January 11. His lasting gift was of kidneys donated to two local men.
"Our lives have been devastated and our 16-year-old daughter has lost her brother and her friend all in one go."
Mrs Hodgson said Ben loved life and was a showman who took part in school productions, was in the debating club, the engineering team and on the most talented and able register at Moorside Community Technology College, where he was a pupil.
She said: "During the time we were at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Newcastle General Hospital, the staff worked tirelessly to try to save Ben's life.
"They worked above and beyond their shifts and, as our baby slipped away, the tears flowed from staff as freely as ours did.
"Their dedication and love of their job was so apparent and we now want to give something back to the unit to help other children in the area.
"We have set up 'Ben's Fund', the entire proceeds of which will go to the unit to buy specialist equipment needed."
Mrs Hodgson said an emotional concert held at Moorside Community Technology College raised about £1,600, while the sales of pens without lids raised further cash at the school.
The couple will hold the charity ball for Ben's Fund at the Derwent Manor Hotel, in Allensford, on October 13.
Tickets are £40 and can be obtained by contacting 07736-455804.
It includes a three-course meal, band, and charity auction with Gordon Ramsay and the Hairy Bikers having sent signed books. Local businesses have also given prizes
12:27pm Saturday 22nd September 2007
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CommentPosted by: Jem Wishart, Inverness on 10:37am Tue 16 Oct 07
This tragedy, alas, is not unique. A group of us - MPs, MEPs, safety organisations, medical practitioners - have been campaigning to have another dangerous item banned - namely the Kinder Surprise chocolate egg. The tiny pieces of plastic comprising the surprise toy inside a cylinder in the egg have been responsible for a number of deaths. We have a list of a hundred incidents throughout Europe - some fatal, some just frightening - yet the law does not ban them or ask the manufacturer to modify them to ensure consumer safety.
We would like to give support to Ben's parents and invite them to add their voice to our very reasonable request.[bold]bold[/bold]
This tragedy, alas, is not unique. A group of us - MPs, MEPs, safety organisations, medical practitioners - have been campaigning to have another dangerous item banned - namely the Kinder Surprise chocolate egg. The tiny pieces of plastic comprising the surprise toy inside a cylinder in the egg have been responsible for a number of deaths. We have a list of a hundred incidents throughout Europe - some fatal, some just frightening - yet the law does not ban them or ask the manufacturer to modify them to ensure consumer safety.
We would like to give support to Ben's parents and invite them to add their voice to our very reasonable request.
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