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Bethany's parents say a big 'thankyou'...by lighting up their house!
by Vicki Robinson THE parents of a brave toddler are thanking the charity which helped them cope by staging a huge Christmas lights switch-on.
Sam Marston and Tony Salmon are illuminating their house in a bid to raise money for the Sick Children's Trust at St James's Hospital in Leeds.
The Eckersley House centre provides free accommodation and support for parents of poorly youngsters being treated in the city.
Bethany, three, suffers from the rare genetic liver disorder Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC), which affects just 20 children in the UK.
She spent most of her first year in hospitals in Leeds and Dewsbury and until recently was still a regular inpatient.
The family have stayed at Eckersley House many times in the past year.
Appeal
To say thank you, Sam and Tony are lighting up their house in Thornhill, Dewsbury, in return for charity donations.
Sam, 30, said: "Eckersley House did such an important thing for us, it meant we could be close to Bethany all the time.
"There have been times when she has been very, very ill, so the prospect of having to leave her would have been terrible. We thank our lucky stars the Sick Children's Trust (SCT) was there for us."
Sam and Tony have launched an appeal for unwanted lights for the big switch-on, on December 9.
Sam said: "We'd really like to make a huge splash and raise lots of money for the SCT."
To offer lights call 07931 407632. Donations can be made direct to the SCT – using sort code 20 26 08, account number 00741221.
SCT supports 4,000 families a year, relying entirely on voluntary donations, in seven 'homes from home' throughout the UK.
Decorated your house with Christmas lights? Phone the YEP on 0113 238 8376.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
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Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
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