Staff At Leading Specialist Insurance Company Donate Life-saving Kit To 9-month Old Baby

Bradley Spanton, from Sawtry in Cambridgeshire, suffers from thrombophilia a condition which, without medication, could cause his blood to clot and cause a fatal blockage in his heart.

The youngster has undergone four heart operations at London's famous Great Ormond Street Hospital during his short life and has had a pacemaker and an artificial heart valve fitted.

Almost every day, Bradley needed to visit Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon for his blood to be tested, so his parents launched an appeal for a special home blood testing machine - which would eliminate the need for the distressing hospital trips.

Following the appeal by 20-year-old Stephanie and Charlie (25), Godmanchester-based insurance company Sureterm Direct stepped into buy the vital medical equipment, which is not currently available on prescription.

Sixty staff gave up their Christmas bonuses to buy the blood testing machine, with £6,000 also being given to the special baby care unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

Sue Hessom, General Manager at Sureterm Direct, said: "It was a fabulous gesture by the young team we have here, all of whom were very touched by Bradley's plight. We're delighted to have been able to improve his quality of life."

Sureterm Direct staff presented Bradley and his parents with the vital medical kit at their offices.

Stephanie Spanton said: "We're so grateful to everyone at Sureterm, they are so kind. The machine will make a massive difference to us."