Brave Wigan youngster's family to host hospital fun day

The family of a brave young Wiganer who successfully battled meningitis B is asking Wiganers to help raise thousands for the hospital which looked after him.
Brave little Archie Musgrave with parents Kate and JoeBrave little Archie Musgrave with parents Kate and Joe
Brave little Archie Musgrave with parents Kate and Joe

Kate Musgrave, the mum of Hindley youngster Archie whose weeks in hospital earlier this year captured the borough’s hearts, is putting on a big fund-raising day next month.

The event is a way to say thank you to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with proceeds going to the burns and plastics unit where he spent much of his recovery time.

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St Peter’s Pavilion in Hindley will be filled with traditional games and activities for all ages and Kate is hoping Archie’s many wellwishers and supporters will help to make the day a success.

She said: “We just felt we needed to do something.

“Archie had so much support when he was in hospital and it would great if everyone would come out and attend this.

People keep asking how much I’d like to raise but I’ve not got a clue. It would be nice to get a couple of grand so hopefully that is realistic.

“The care they provide at the hospital costs so much, both in intensive care and then in the burns and plastic unit. We’re raising money for that because he spent most time in there.

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“The hospital was absolutely brilliant with Archie. They were with him all the time and always making sure he was fine and doing all the observations. They were checking on them all through the night.

“He’s doing really well now and we just want to give something back.”

Archie’s ordeal, which included spending four days in an induced coma before amazing doctors with the speed of his improvements, led to an outpouring of public support with comments being left by the score on social media.

As he plays rugby league for Hindley Bucks ARLFC the 13-man code rallied round, with Wigan Warriors stars including captain Sean O’Loughlin and prop Ben Flower going to see him in hospital.

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Kate is hoping some of the players might be free to attend the fund-raiser but the club has a Super League match that night.

Archie is continuing to make good progress and is now back in school three days a week but still has to return to hospital for regular appointments, something which Kate says will be a fixture of his life for months at the very least.

She said: “He loves being back with his friends at school although he does get quite tired by the end of the day

“He even took part in the sports day recently, which I couldn’t believe. He came last, bless him, but it’s the taking part that counts.”

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Young visitors to the fund-raiser, which will hopefully be attended by the Manchester hospital’s bear mascot, will be able to enjoy face painting, bouncy castles and pony rides, while Hindley businesses have donated tombola and raffle prizes and there will also be competitions and a disco.

The event is on July 27 at St Peter’s Pavilion from 4pm.

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