Bassetlaw Hospital staff ‘overwhelmed’ by gift from battling toddler George Bownes

This adorable picture shows Worksop toddler George Bownes with gift bags delivered to staff at Bassetlaw Hospital’s respiratory ward.
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George, who was born at 23 weeks weighing just 1.9lb, paid for the goodies walking 100 metres a day with mum Hanna Rose.

Twenty-three-month-old George defied all odds after surviving four bouts of meningitis and sepsis at birth.

The little battler - who can stand holding onto the sofa at home - was left with cerebral palsy after 75 per cent of his cerebellum was damaged.

George Bownes with 57 gift bags bound for Bassetlaw HospitalGeorge Bownes with 57 gift bags bound for Bassetlaw Hospital
George Bownes with 57 gift bags bound for Bassetlaw Hospital

He and mum Hanna, 26, surprised doctors, nurses and domestic staff on Ward C1 – 57 in all – with gift bags containing a bottle of gin, bath bombs, chocolate, bracelets and other presents.

Little fighter George raised the money walking to the end of his street aided by a special walking suit every day for seven days last month.

Proud mum Hanna told how he made his ‘concentration face’ and she had to massage his legs after each outing.

George - who doctors said would never walk again - was attached to Hanna with a harness via shoes allowing him to take steps as she walked.

Staff on Ward C1 with their giftsStaff on Ward C1 with their gifts
Staff on Ward C1 with their gifts

Mum-of-one Hanna’s fundraising page in support of the daily walk – flooded with donations – raised nearly £3,000.

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Worksop miracle baby George Bownes walks 100 metres a day for Bassetlaw Hospital

Each bag was decorated with a photo of George alongside a message which read: “Thank You NHS. I have walked along my street for seven nights fundraising.

“Please enjoy your gift. Love George.”

A message from GeorgeA message from George
A message from George

Laura Beardsley, a healthcare assistant on the ward, described the gesture as ‘overwhelming’.

She said: “It’s just shocked us all - for them to do that for us when we were just coming to work and doing what we love to do.

“We’ve had a lot of gifts during the pandemic and have been grateful for every single one of them but this was massive.

“For this little boy and his mum to do this for us was really special.”

Gifts from George Bownes and mum Hanna RoseGifts from George Bownes and mum Hanna Rose
Gifts from George Bownes and mum Hanna Rose

George’s parents Hanna and Daniel are currently fundraising to pay for physiotherapy to try and improve his mobility.

Speaking to the Guardian last month Hanna said: “We never thought we’d get to the stage where we would be fundraising with him for somebody else.”

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