Family fun day in memory of baby Madison Veda

A family fun day is being held next month to commemorate the 10th birthday of a little girl who died at just two days old.

Melissa and Andy Barclay, from Rochdale, lost their first-born child, Madison Veda, to Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and meningitis in 2012 when she was just two-and-a-half days old.

Group B Strep is a normal bacterium carried by up to a third of adults and up to a quarter of women. It usually poses no symptoms or side-effects.

According to the Group B Strep Support charity, approximately one in every 1,000 babies born in the UK develops the infection with two babies a day developing it. One baby dies from the infection each week, and one more baby survives with long-term disabilities- physical, mental or both.

It can be passed from mother to baby during labour and is harmless for most babies. For a small number, it can lead to blood poisoning, pneumonia and meningitis.

GBS is recognised to cause preterm delivery, maternal infections, stillbirths and late miscarriages; and preterm babies are known to be at particular risk of GBS infection as their immune systems are not as well developed.

Melissa and Andy later went on to have four sons, Xavier, Jaxon, Zachary and Xander.

As this year would be Madison’s 10th birthday, her parents are holding a family fun day in her memory to raise money for Aching Arms UK, Group B Strep Support and The Little Princess Trust. 

The event, held at Crompton Cricket Club in Shaw, will feature two female vocalists, two children's entertainers, a bouncy castle, a raffle, Morris dancers and so much more.

Melissa will also be shaving her head to raise funds for the charities close to her heart.

 

 

She said: “The 18th of April marks 10 years since we announced to the world that we were expecting our first child together.

“2022 marks 10 years since our precious princess began to grow. I loved feeling every movement and hearing her heartbeat at all my antenatal appointments.

“Sadly on the 11th of December 2012 after a two-day fight against Group B Strep and meningitis Madison sadly died peacefully whilst held in mine and her daddy’s arms.

“Since losing Madison we have received unbelievable support from Aching Arms UK and Group B Strep Support and I would like to raise money to help both charities to continue to support families who sadly find themselves in our situation.”

Donations can be made via JustGiving.

The family fun day will take place from 12noon to 6pm at Crompton Cricket Club in Shaw on 18 April.