A WIRRAL mum is hoping to save the lives of little boys and ghouls when she holds a trick-or-treat fundraiser in aid of the nurses that have cared for son since he was diagnosed with a rare and potentially life-threatening condition.

Wirral Globe:
Joanne Jones, from Saughall Massie, with four-month-old son Charlie.

Charlie Jones was just eight-weeks-old when he was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, an extremely rare illness affecting just eight in every 100,000 children in the UK.

Mainly affecting children under the age of five, Kawasaki disease – also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome – can cause a high temperature for more than five days, a rash, swollen glands in the neck, dry and cracked lips, red fingers and toes and red eyes.

Up to 5% of children with the disease experience complications with the heart and in about 1% of cases, complications can prove fatal.

Wirral Globe:
Joanne Jones, from Saughall Massie, with four-month-old son Charlie.

But very little is known about the illness, with doctors struggling to diagnose Charlie – now aged four months – for 11 days.

“As a result, Charlie’s heart was damaged,” said 32-year-old mum Joanne, from Saughall Massie.

“He is now receiving care from Arrowe Park’s Hospital at Home team, who come out twice daily to administer his medication, allowing me to be his mum, not his nurse.”

Hospital at Home is a service provided by Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital, providing care for children up to the age of 16 in their own home.

They help to limit the need for lengthy and stressful hospital trips.

Joanne - who is also mum to Maisy, nine, Faye, six and Ted, four – hopes to give something back to the nurses who have cared for Charlie with her Halloween fundraiser later this month.

The night will start with trick or treating around Hoylake on October 31, followed by a party at the nearby Holiday Inn – where Joanne works as a customer service duty manager.

“My boss has been wonderful and it was his idea. I am doing a raffle and have prizes including a tour of the Everton stadium, hotel stays, a three course meal in Marcos, a voucher for Cowboys and Angels in West Kirby and vouchers for the Green Onion Café in West Kirby.

“My good friend Lisa has donated a cut and blow dry at her salon, and also a nail pampering session. Maisy’s school, West Kirby Primary, have said that they will help also. “ There will be a prize for the best fancy dress costume, with fun and games for all who attend the party.

Joanne added: “Kawasaki Disease is so rare I have found that parents really have to advocate for their children at this time. We've been told by our consultant at Arrowe Park it is a once in a career kind of thing.

“Hopefully the money we raise will allow the hospital at home nurses to buy more equipment to be able to treat more children at home. “

Anyone who would like to take part in the trick or treating event should meet at the Holiday Inn in Hoylake at 5.30pm on October 31. A minimum donation of £3 is required to participate.