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Little 'miracle' who is living life to the Max

Frank Wood
26/10/2005

MIRACLE boy Max Beaumont continues to astound family and friends after coming through three major open-heart operations.

The seven-year-old, who had his latest open-heart surgery only in April, is the latest recruit to join Heywood St John's Beavers at Hopwood.

Last time he was in the news, Max had just started as a pupil at Hopwood Primary School in Magdala Street.

Max's story was first told by the Advertiser when his grateful parents and grandparents embarked on a massive fundraising drive to help the Ronald McDonald centre, where parents can stay while children are being treated at the famous Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

Spearheaded by Max's grandparents Bob and Jean Fletcher of Inchfield Close, Bamford, the family and many of their friends have since raised more than £10,000 for the centre.

The family, who call Max their 'little miracle', say with each year that passes they become more and more in awe at the standard of care and support by both the hospital and the centre.

Already, many more fundraising ideas are in the pipeline.

Parents Carolyn and Howard, of Birkdale Close, Hopwood, grandparents and many other family members and friends hardly let a birthday or special occasion go by without turning it into a fundraiser.

Meanwhile Max, who has a twin sister Jody and older brother Greg, is just getting on with life.

Carolyn said: "Obviously, when he joins something like the Beavers, the leaders need to know his medical history.

"But Max just wants to muck in with the rest of the kids. It's wonderful to see."

As well as his three major operations, Max has had to have regular stays in Alder Hey Hospital for seven smaller operations and faces more surgery as he grows.

Soon after he was born at Fairfield Hospital, it was discovered he had no pulmonary artery. He also had holes in his heart and other major defects.

It was touch and go whether he would survive, but thanks to the skills of the Alder Hey team, he defied the odds and pulled through.