Gran backs son-in-law’s efforts to thank life-saving surgeons

Medics stalled their operation on Ann Clarke’s brain aneurysm when they discovered a second bleed and feared that the damage was irreparable — giving her two weeks to live.

But after she and her family agreed the risky measure of fitting a stent to repair the bleed, the 51-year-old made a miraculous recovery and was allowed home just five days after surgery.

Now she is urging people to back her son-in-law’s bid to raise funds for at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital’s neurocare charity as he prepares to take on its annual Head Start 10km run at Rother Valley Country Park.

Grandmother-of-two Ann, of Lewes Road, Conisbrough, said: “Every day I look at my grandchildren and I’m grateful for the care I got at the Royal Hallamshire.

“From the surgeons to the nurses, they were all fantastic and I can’t thank them enough.

“Ben has wanted to do something to say thank you to them for some time and this run is ideal.

“It’ll be a challenge for him, he’s not an athlete, but I know he’s preparing himself.”

Ben Jarvis (33), the husband of Anne’s daughter Emma and dad of her grandchildren Ellie (3) and Jack (1), set a £1,000 fund-raising target for the Head Start run, which takes place on Sunday (19).  

He, Emma and the children were living in the midlands during Ann’s dramatic health scare in September last year and he said that he “lost Emma for three months” as she travelled to and from Sheffield for lengthy stints at her mum’s bedside.

After feeling helpless as he stayed at home to look after the children, he now feels like he can take action to show how grateful he is to the surgeons who saved Ann’s life.

Ben said: “Neurocare and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital gave my son is Grandma back.

“That was my biggest worry. I wanted Jack to be able to meet his grandma, especially as they share a birthday.”

Ann’s aneurysm was identified in September last year — two months after she began complaining to her GP about her severe headaches.

Eventually she experienced blurred vision and was referred to the hospital.

She said: “It wasn’t the best start. I was suffering headaches for some time and for good reason, it turned out.

“Now I’m just so grateful things worked out like they did. I’m back at work, in a job that I love, and I’ve got a future ahead with my grandchildren. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Neurocare's Head Start charity run includes a 5km and 10km race at Rother Valley Country Park.

For more information and for details on how to enter please visit www.neurocare.org.uk.

To support Ben visit www.justgiving.com/ben-jarvis3.