A FUNDRAISING disco is being held to say thank you to the staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital who helped to save an Ipswich youngster's life.Bethany Woods, five, has a rare form of muscular dystrophy and spent several weeks in the hospital's specialist paediatric unit last year after falling ill with pneumonia.

A FUNDRAISING disco is being held to say thank you to the staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital who helped to save an Ipswich youngster's life.

Bethany Woods, five, has a rare form of muscular dystrophy and spent several weeks in the hospital's specialist paediatric unit last year after falling ill with pneumonia.

Her mum Treena said: “She would not be with us if it wasn't for them so we just wanted to do something to say thank you and help them out.

“Nobody ever thinks that their child will need this facility, but within the blink of an eye, anyone of us with children could be faced with this experience.”

As The Evening Star reported last year, Bethany was rushed to the hospital with a severe bout of pneumonia and it was touch and go whether she would survive, but she made a remarkable recovery.

Now, almost eighteen months on, Mrs Woods said: “Bethany is doing very well and enjoying the summer holidays, although she is missing her friends from school, especially her boyfriend Callum who also attends Thomas Wolsey.”

Bethany's condition means her muscles have gone rigid and she has to use a wheelchair. She also has difficulties breathing and is prone to picking up infection, but she has had a relatively good year and not spent too much time in hospital.

Mrs Woods, of Cecil Road, Ipswich, said: “She has, luckily, kept free from any illnesses so far apart from a slight bout of pneumonia which we were fortunate enough to catch in time so she only spent a couple of days in hospital.

“We are so used to what to look out for now that as soon as anything goes slightly wrong we get medical attention for her straight away.”

Now, the family is arranging a bank holiday disco to raise funds for Addenbrooke's Hospital and for the Bethany Tayla Woods Fund which is used to buy the specialist equipment she needs.

The event will take place at the Kesgrave Community Centre in Bell Lane on Sunday August 27 from 7.30pm to 11pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £1 for children.

To book tickets call Mrs Woods on 01473 252133.

WEBLINK: www.thebethanytaylawoodsfund.co.uk