Skip to main content

Language: English / GĂ idhlig

Loading…

Chamber and committees

Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Trust in Memory of Oliver Steele

  • Submitted by: Evelyn Tweed, Stirling, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 11 April 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-12762
  • Current status: Achieved cross-party support

That the Parliament congratulates Natasha Cuthbert and Sean Steele, of Deanston, on raising vital funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in memory of their son, Oliver Steele, who sadly passed away from cystic fibrosis aged just 14 months old on 16 July 2023; praises Natasha and Sean for their fundraising efforts, following the heartbreak of losing their young son; understands that this began with over £1,000 being raised through online donations and a collection following Oliver's funeral and, more recently, a charity football match between Deanston and Aberfoyle at Deanston Community Centre on 30 March 2024, where they raised over £3,400 through a raffle, tombola, bake sale, bouncy castle, refreshments, barbeque and the football match; further understands that Oliver, who lived with his mum, Natasha, in Deanston, was born at Forth Valley Royal Hospital on 10 May 2022, and at just two days old was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow for surgery on a blocked bowel, which unfortunately could not be repaired at the time so Oliver was given a stoma, and that it was later discovered that the bowel issue was due to Oliver having cystic fibrosis, which led to multiple trips to hospital and several surgeries; notes that Natasha and Sean are keen to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis, which is a hereditary disorder affecting the exocrine glands that causes the production of abnormally thick mucus, leading to the blockage of the pancreatic ducts, intestines and bronchi, often resulting in respiratory infection, and to raise vital funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust; further notes that NHS Scotland states the symptoms of cystic fibrosis, including recurring chest infections, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and damage to the airways (bronchiectasis), difficulty putting on weight and growing, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice), diarrhoea, constipation, or large, smelly poo, and a bowel obstruction in newborn babies (meconium ileus); understands that, in the UK, all newborn babies are screened for cystic fibrosis as part of the newborn blood spot test, or heel prick test, carried out shortly after they are born, and that, if the screening test suggests that a child may have cystic fibrosis, they will need a sweat test and a genetic test to confirm that they have the condition; notes that there is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but that a range of treatments can help to control the symptoms, prevent or reduce complications, and make the condition easier to live with; understands that people with cystic fibrosis may need to take different medicines to treat and prevent lung problems, and that physical activity and the use of airway clearance techniques may also be recommended to help clear mucus from the lungs, and wishes Natasha and Sean continued success with their fundraising efforts in memory of Oliver, who they describe as the "happiest, funniest and most beautiful little boy in the world".


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Ben Macpherson, Roz McCall, Ivan McKee, Stuart McMillan, Edward Mountain, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, David Torrance, Sue Webber, Tess White, Brian Whittle