Baby Amelia loses her battle for life

Little Amelia Christie Currie, who was almost 18-months old, lost her battle for life on Friday last at the Causeway Hospital.

The daughter of Michelle and Chris, Amelia had cerebral palsy, a neuropathic bladder, was mildly deaf in her left ear and could not interpret what she saw. She had to be tube fed and up until fairly recently required oxygen 24/7.

Michelle, who is originally from the Ballymoney area, but who now lives in Portrush, recently featured in this newspaper praising the care Amelia received from the Northern Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.

This meant round the clock care and many hospital appointments.Back in March, Michelle said she was giving something back to the Hospice by raising funds on its behalf and running the Belfast Marathon alongside her sister, Donna, in May.

At the time, Michelle said: “This is a fantastic charity we never ever thought we’d need and I decided as they are the nominated charity this year for the Belfast Marathon that I will train for the half marathon and raise what I can to return a little of what the Hospice is doing for us.

“They have given us tremendous support during Amelia’s sickness and given us much needed respite.

“My sister Donna is doing the entire 26.2 miles. Training has well and truly started and I go out running every other day usually pushing Amelia.”

Michelle added: “We are trying to raise as much as possible. This is the first time I’ve ever tried to raise money and it’s for something of course which I hold close to my heart.

“Thanks also to all the amazing staff at the Causeway Hospital Children’s Ward for their ongoing support since Amelia’s birth.”

The Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice cares for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and supports their families and those close to them.

Baby Amelia is just one more than 750 life-limited children and young people living in Northern Ireland suffering from conditions such as Muscular Dystrophy and genetic disorders such as Batten’s Disease and other life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

These children have very complex needs often requiring 24 hour care and many will die before reaching adulthood.

A funeral service was held in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Portrush, on Monday followed by interment in Ballywillan Cemetery.

Amelia’s grandfather, Maurice Christie, and her uncle, Tom Christie, are both long-standing members of Armoy Rugby Club and as a mark of respect, games were cancelled on Saturday.