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

A 22-month-old Worksop toddler born 23 weeks old weighing just 1.9lb who struggles to stand is walking 100 metres a day with help from his mum for Bassetlaw Hospital.
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Miracle baby George Bownes is walking to the end of the road outside his parents’ home with mum Hanna Rose while strapped into a special walking suit.

He is attached to Hanna with a harness while his feet fit into shoes which allow him to take steps as she walks with him.

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Hanna, 26, told how George - who is just about able to stand by holding onto the sofa at home - is doing the walk every day for seven days finishing on Saturday.

George and mum Hanna Rose are raising money for Bassetlaw Hospital's Covid-19 wardGeorge and mum Hanna Rose are raising money for Bassetlaw Hospital's Covid-19 ward
George and mum Hanna Rose are raising money for Bassetlaw Hospital's Covid-19 ward

The mum-of-one hopes the daily walk will raise money to buy a small gift for every member of staff at Bassetlaw Hospital’s Covid-19 ward.

She described how little fighter George made his ‘concentration face’ during the daily outing and she had to massage his legs after each session.

Following his birth in July 2018 George survived four bouts of meningitis and sepsis - while doctors told Hanna and her partner Daniel Bownes, 28, he would never walk.

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The toddler suffered damage to 75 per cent of his cerebellum - the area of the brain which controls movement - but was finally discharged after 26 weeks in hospital.

George Bownes in his walking suitGeorge Bownes in his walking suit
George Bownes in his walking suit

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

Hanna, who said George was now able to roll over, told the family had been through ‘a lot of bad times’.

However she added: “We never thought we’d get to the stage where we would be fundraising with him for somebody else.

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“We’re on a good stretch at the moment and he’s always happy - he’s the happiest person I’ve ever met.”

George Bownes is just able to stand by holding on to the sofaGeorge Bownes is just able to stand by holding on to the sofa
George Bownes is just able to stand by holding on to the sofa
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Hanna - describing George as ‘always babbling and laughing’ - said lorry driver partner Daniel had been forced to move out of their home into a caravan outside to minimise the risk of infecting his vulnerable son with coronavirus.

Speaking about the Bassetlaw Hospital fundraiser she said: “So many people are already supporting him with donations - it’s so lovely.”

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