THE family of a little boy diagnosed with a brain tumour praised staff at Clatterbridge Cancer who went 'above and beyond' the call of duty so that they could safely watch him ring the End of Treatment bell.
Three-year-old Brodie Halliday got the chance to do so after recently finishing 35 rounds of gruelling radiotherapy.
His family were devastated that dad Jamie and sister Indiana might not get to witness him ring it as visitor restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic meant only his mum Kirstie, 35, was accompanying him to his appointments.
The radiotherapy team stepped in with a solution.
Led by Paediatric Radiographer Sarah Stead, they unscrewed the bell from its usual position in the department and set it up outside, to ensure the entire Halliday family and Brodie's medical team could safely witness this milestone moment.
The family were then able to conduct essential travel back home to the Scottish Borders and Brodie is now recovering well at home.
Brodie Halliday (in green hat) pictured with mum Kirstie, sister Indiana and dad Jamie
Mum Kirstie said: "When I chatted to the team about what we could do to make sure as many people saw him ring the bell as possible, they knew just what to do.
"They've gone above and beyond for Brodie and really made a fuss of his during his treatment.”
Brodie was diagnosed with a brain tumour in July last year and initially received treatment near his home in the Scottish Borders.
He was then referred for radiotherapy treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, more than 250 miles away.
Mum Kirstie continued: "We moved our entire lives down to the Wirral for Brodie's treatment and with everything going on, it’s been quite a daunting experience.
"Having Brodie in hospital during a pandemic was also incredibly worrying.
"But the team from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre have gone above and beyond for Brodie, especially during a really challenging time for all the staff and patients.
"We're really grateful that the team found a way for us to celebrate this special moment with Brodie."
Paediatric Radiographer Sarah Stead said: "We weren't going to let the coronavirus ruin Brodie's big moment to ring the bell in front of his family.
"And as patient safety is our top priority, having visitors into the hospital isn't possible at the moment.
"The team and I made sure Brodie could safely have his celebratory moment.
"He had quite a socially distant crowd in the end, of fellow patients and Clatterbridge staff, cheering him on.
"Patients and families dealing with cancer already have enough on their plates.
"It's part our job to go that extra mile to ensure they're given extra special care and compassion during these extenuating circumstances."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here