Friends and family unite for Francis

A BRIDGEND family is appealing for help to raise funds for an eight-year-old boy who stopped breathing aged six weeks.

- IAN LEWIS

Francis Read was resuscitated by his grandmother Karen Read, a nurse by profession, before being rushed to hospital.

Following a few days in intensive care, his life support was switched off and he was not expected to react well.

However, he defied the odds and, nine months later, was able to go home.

Francis lives with Grandma Karen, who works for Harbour Healthcare, and Grandpa Craig, who is in the Royal Navy, and his sister Lilli, 10.

Francis’ dad Morgan lives nearby and spends time with Francis every day.

Craig said: "Francis has been diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy (level five), and faces numerous medical and neurological challenges.

"He was born with his right hip displaced and battles with increasing degrees of neuromuscular scoliosis, plus he relies on a PEG tube for feeding.