A SINGING duo from Westbury-on-Trym have recorded a single in memory of a little girl who was cared for by Children’s Hospice South West.
Claire Champness and husband Dean have recorded their own version of the song Special, originally written by ska and reggae band The Dualers, to raise money following the death of seven-year-old Phoebe Pring earlier this year.
They were asked to support the fundraising for CHSW by Dan Ryan, friend and business partner of Phoebe’s dad Josh.
The couple recorded their CD at Brunel Studios in Hengrove. Sales at their gigs and donations have reached £550 – exceeding Claire and Dean’s initial target. The pair also performed at a fun day in tribute to Phoebe at Failand Village Hall.
Claire said: “This is our way of remembering Phoebe and raising money for such an incredible charity which supported the family so much.”
When Phoebe was born, Josh and his partner Jessica took their baby home to Nailsea thinking she was a healthy little girl, but became concerned something was wrong when Phoebe started to choke on her milk. Tests found that instead of being able to swallow her milk, it was going into Phoebe’s lungs, causing her to choke and affecting her breathing. Phoebe was also diagnosed with hypotonia, a disease that affects the muscles, and it was decided, to keep her safe, that she should be tube fed.
At the age of three, Phoebe was rushed back into hospital suffering with pneumonia and apnoea episodes. During another six-week stay in Bristol Children’s Hospital, the family were dealt the devastating blow that Phoebe had Rett Syndrome – a rare, genetic disease that affects brain development and causes severe disability.Phoebe was then referred to Charlton Farm which proved game-changing Josh, Jess, their son Harvey and other daughter Tilleigh who was born in the summer of 2023.
“It gave us time to do things with Harvey and Tilleigh as a family. “We always, always tried our best to include Phoebe in everything we did, but there were some things that practically we just could not do and wanted to keep her well from certain weathers,” said Josh.
Phoebe fell unwell again when the family were on holiday in Paignton in April this year and on her return home was rushed into intensive care at Bristol Children’s Hospital. Sadly, doctors said Phoebe’s heart and brain was failing and there was nothing else they could do for her. The family returned to Charlton Farm to spend their final days together. Phoebe died at Charlton Farm with her loving family around her, with Jess and Josh cradling her in her bed.
You can listen to the single and donate at www.justgiving.com/page/claire-champness