Claire and Mike Wren, parishioners of St Bernadette’s, recently lost their beloved three-year old Charlotte, their only child. In ‘Faith in Family and Friends’ they bravely share their heartbreaking loss, the profound human experience of loving so deeply and losing so suddenly their precious Charlotte to a very rare, aggressive and deadly illness known as Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (JMML).

Their story is one of profound hope, deep despair and the power of faith experienced through the actions, words, deeds and thoughts of their closest family and friends at a time when their aching hearts sought soothing comfort, a time in which their spiritual family life was changed forever. Mike and Claire write;

‘Our life has been changed immeasurably thanks to the gifts of our child of God, Charlotte; her endless love, warmth, inspiration, determination and sense of adventure in the face of life-threatening adversity, gifts which flowed so effortlessly into the hearts and minds of everyone whose lives she touched. Our sense of hope and hopefulness is Charlotte’s lasting legacy to us, her broken-hearted parents, and we pass this on to others via the medium of faith.

‘In July 2005 we received the mind-devastating and heart-shattering news from the Oncology Consultant at the RVI, Newcastle that our only child Charlotte had a very rare, life-threatening illness. We knew from that day that both Charlotte’s and our lives would never be the same again. We were sensitively told that JMML could kill her, that the treatment to help her could kill her and that anything in between would be a bonus.

‘Our ‘bubble’ world had strict clinical cleanliness, restrictions on visitors and an exacting regime of wearing gloves, aprons and hats to protect Charlotte and her very fragile immune system from the risk of infection. Even a kiss or a cuddle could have killed her!.

‘Rather than grieve for her illness, we chose to celebrate and embrace her infectiously courageous heart, sharp mind, sense of fun, mischief, love and laughter which she willingly sprinkled around the isolation ward, at home and at church; a beautiful personality entwined with a beautiful face and a love so giving and which she shared so openly with the many people whose lives she touched so deeply.

‘A warm and genuine act of human touching that was transacted, against all of the odds and in the face of very serious personal difficulties. Holding on so dearly and steadfastly to a life that she was determined was to be lived completely to the full, alongside her best friend Noddy who was constantly by her side throughout everything she endured. We really mean endured!. For in her short, inspirational life she left a legacy that has had such a life changing impact, that it dwarfs the legacy of many a person who has lived many more years longer on this earth.

‘Charlotte’s first transplant rejected and despite her very robust fight and being home in time for our second Christmas together in 2006, we had to relocate to Newcastle once again in July 2006 for a second transplant, when a 100% match to an unrelated donor was found very quickly. Charlotte underwent a second transplant and a return back to our ‘bubble world’ of clinical routines and the totally accepted exacting hospital regime of protecting our precious Charlotte, at all costs, once again.

‘Charlotte equally endured several invasive surgical procedures (including a very difficult surgical procedure known as a splenectomy; to remove her leukaemia-laden spleen), followed by quarantine at home where we tried passionately and tirelessly to transfer the abundant sense of fun and laughter into a routine of cleanliness, and the realisation of the true enormity of the emotional traumas we had experienced away from our own home, within the protected environment of our ‘bubble world’, trying everyday to re-build and re-connect back to home life and our so-called ‘normal’ world, in what was a very abnormal world.

‘Knowing also that even with the very best standards of medical care, edge of knowledge research findings, bone marrow transplantations, isolation from other children, our wider families and networks of supportive friends backed up by a cocktail of essential medicines and the gift of medical practitioners in Newcastle Charlotte’s life remained under constant threat, with the risk of her falling asleep one last time being ever present.

‘The short bonus times continued as we tried to take every opportunity to give Charlotte and ourselves the opportunities of togetherness as a family; family holidays to Centre Parcs, or discovering the Swingey Wreck, our local play park that was a haven of play and tranquillity for us and Charlotte. Charlotte twice met her hero and bestest friend ever, a life-sized (real) Noddy, she rode on a horse and carriage at Christmas, visited Santa’s grotto and asked for a doggy for Christmas, as she loved the 101 Dalmatians and loved to ‘Swim like a Fish’ during bath times at home… when we could actually get her in the bath, that is! Precious times were indeed a bonus, and now provided us all with an ‘eternal memorabilia’ of treasured memories that will remain forever within our shattered hearts in the minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years ahead where physically we won’t see our ‘Pink Princess’.

‘Yet spiritually we will keep her loving, lively spirit alive through the ‘positive’ actions, words and deeds of others, until we join Charlotte and all of our departed loved ones on the celestial staircase once again, with all of our very dear family and friends close by.

‘To capture the true earthly legacy left by Charlotte, we will share some more treasured memories capture in words by some of the many people whose lives she touched;

‘A message from Charlotte’s Godmother read; ‘Thank you for the gift of Charlotte, for choosing me to be her Godmother and for allowing me to be part of her life, part of something precious; For being such good parents to Charlotte, for your love and devotion to her was without bound or limits.’ (Ireland. June,2007).

‘A faithful friend wrote; ‘I have never met a little girl like Charlotte or a family like yours. You have really touched my heart. I am so grateful that I had so many opportunities to look after your beautiful little angel. Although I’ve cried lots with you; I can’t help but smile and giggle too, when I think of Charlotte; she is an inspiration and credit to you both and you made her that.’ (Middlesbrough. June,2007).

‘A trusted nurse and loving friend to Charlotte wrote; ‘Charlotte was such a treat to look after-so delicate, ‘girly’ and charming but she showed us all that she was made of sterner stuff than that! How does a three year old become so strong? Despite the countless needles and NG tubes borne with dignity, she remained our friend, making us feel better about the things we were required to do to her; still managing to blow kisses and smile through her tears and pain. Your brave daughter and her wonderful parents make my job easier and enriching.’

(Newcastle. June,2007).

‘We received many thoughtful messages of support and beautiful cards from family and friends. It was difficult to choose one that links to the theme of our ‘Faith in Family and Friends’ journey (both before and after) Charlotte fell asleep one last time. However it was this particular message with a beautiful picture of Our Lady of Lourdes inscribed on the front that read; ‘There is Comfort in friendship; Hope in prayer and Sunshine in the memories.’

‘Comfort, Hope, Sunshine and Memories are quite appropriate for ‘positive’ reflections of Charlotte’s inspirationally short life, positive reflections that were resoundingly echoed at Charlotte’s Celebration of her life that was held at St. Bernadette’s Church, Nunthorpe, before she was laid to eternal rest in the peace and tranquillity of our local cemetery on June 15 2007.

‘Perhaps it is fitting then, that having begun this emotional journey with faith we conclude with a exert from Charlotte’s Homily that embraces our belief that faith through the ‘positive’ actions of family and friends, at a time of great sadness and adversity is a reaffirmation of Christ Alive through Charlotte’s positive spirit living on too, through us her family and friends acknowledging that; ‘Whenever one or more of you are gathered in my name I will be among you.’

‘Monsignor David Hogan wrote and said; ‘Families learn so much about each in adversity. Faith guides us through tears and grief to see why we are thankful for Charlotte, who has taught so many so much not least about ourselves. The skill, dedication and devoted loving care which Charlotte, Claire and Michael found in the hospitals in Newcastle and nursing support and guidance at home, call for a deep sense of thankfulness and the goodness which shone from so many. Charlotte has been surrounded by a very special kind of love which is a wonderful gift for so many.’ (St. Bernadette’s, Church. Nunthorpe, 15 June 2007)’.

In the spirit of keeping Charlotte’s memory alive, gathering people together through ‘positive’ actions in Charlotte’s name her Mammy and Daddy have set up a Special Fund ‘The Charlotte Wren Forget Me Not Fund’ which aims to raise funds for vital research into Charlotte’s rare and deadly JMML and so to make a difference to any other child or family who receive this diagnosis and find a lasting cure that will embrace Charlotte’s earthly legacy.

The couple are also looking to sponsor a room through the Sick Children’s Trust at Crawford House, Newcastle for families facing life threatening illnesses who have to travel away from their own homes at times of great adversity to receive vital life giving treatment for their child.

The couple have organised a series of events locally, which includes the support of local businesses; with a Pink Party organised by Lindsey Melling of ARC Training Redcar on 08 September at Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Club. Tickets priced at £10 include a full buffet, live entertainment and prizes are available from Lindsey (01642) 756123 or the Municipal Golf Club Reception.

Middlesbrough 10K Road Race is to be held on 16 September 2007 where up to twenty five family members and friends are running in loving memory of Charlotte to raise money for the fund.

On 22 September 2007 from 7.30pm Claire and Mike are hosting a ‘Pink Princess Party’ at Nunthorpe Recreation Club, Guisborough Road, Nuthorpe. Tickets are available priced at £5 from Dave and Rita Painter (01642) 316495 or Claire and Michael (01642) 316495 or m.c.wren@talktalk.net. Tickets include buffet, prizes, music and entertainment.