Mum says thank you as Marley begins recovery

A mum from Berwick Hills is organising a fundraising night to support two organisations which have played a big part in her son’s battle with chronic liver and kidney disease. Ten year-old Marley Gill who has portal hypertension, congenital hepatic fibrosis, Caroli disease and polycystic kidney disease, received a liver transplant at Leeds General Infirmary just three weeks ago.  Now his mum Rachel wants to say thank you to Children’s Liver Disease Foundation and James Cook Hospital for the part they have played over the past two years.

“Hospitals and medical tests have been a part of Marley’s life ever since he was five years old,” explains Rachel. “The last two years, however, have been the worst with some 28 hospital admissions including James Cook in Middlesbrough, Leeds General Infirmary and Kings College Hospital in London.  After surgery at Kings at the end of last year, Marley spent nine weeks in hospital fighting off sepsis and a severe liver infection. Shortly afterwards, we received the devastating news that he would need a liver transplant.

“We were fortunate that we only had to wait a couple of months for Marley to receive his transplant and we are so grateful to the family who made such a generous decision at such a difficult time. The operation took around nine hours, but his recovery has been amazing – he’s such a strong, brave and determined kid. We know we have a long road ahead of us and we’re going to take each day at a time but we’re so pleased to have got this far.

“We’re organising a charity reggae night at North Ormesby Working Men’s on Friday May 10^th. We want to raise funds for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation who have been there for us from day one and Ward 21 at James Cook where Marley has spent so much of the last two years. We’ll also be making a donation to the children’s liver unit at Leeds. The support we have had from the local community has been so fantastic that the evening has already sold out but anyone who would like to support it can do so online at by clicking HERE

Alison Taylor, Chief Executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation commented:  “CLDF is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all childhood liver diseases, by providing information and emotional support, funds for research and a voice for all those affected. In order to do this however, we rely on voluntary donations, so we’re very grateful that Rachel is organising this fundraising evening. We’re delighted that Marley is doing well, we wish his family all the best and look forward to catching up with them soon.”

For more information on CLDF visit childliverdisease.org.