A fundraiser has been set up to help the parents of a Lincoln baby who requires life-saving heart surgery.
Gracie Johnson is nine-and-a-half months old. When her mother Paige Jackson was 25 weeks pregnant she found out that her daughter has Tetralogy of Fallot, which is four congenital heart defects.
Gracie was born five weeks early on May 5 last year and had to spend three weeks in ICU at Nottingham City Hospital as she needed more specialist care.
Gracie has spent a lot of time in hospital since she was born in May 2020.
Her mother was by her bedside, but her father Mitchell Johnson was only allowed to stay at the hospital for around a week due to the coronavirus restrictions.
She was finally allowed home after four weeks, but her condition started to deteriorate and she was very unsettled.
Gracie has been under the care of Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, but at one point when Paige couldn’t get through to them in June last year, she phoned 111 and an ambulance was sent for Gracie.
She had to be put straight onto oxygen and put on the highest dose allowed because her levels were so low. She was admitted to hospital.
Gracie with her mum Paige Jackson (left) and her dad Mitchell Johnson (right).
Gracie was put on a life saving drug to help her heart while the hospital team decided on the best course of action.
A stent procedure was carried out and she was in intensive care for another three days before being put onto a ward.
Gracie Johnson needs major heart surgery.
Gracie had a few complications, including an absent pulse in her leg, and needed a blood transfusion from her mum, as well as being put on a ventilator for 48 hours. She stayed on the ward at Glenfield for two-and-a-half weeks.
She is on a lot of medication and her parents have been given basic life support training and carry out home monitoring that needs chartered daily.
Paige, 24, is a self-employed hairdresser and has been unable to work due to the coronavirus pandemic and caring for Gracie. Her father Mitchell is a self-employed dryliner, which is supporting the family but they are worried about future costs.
Paige’s cousin Becca Jackson set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family if accommodation is needed in Birmingham whilst Gracie is in hospital and to help maintain home life ready for Gracie’s return.
Over £1,400 has so far been raised – click here to make a donation.
Gracie with her parents Paige Jackson and Mitchell Johnson.
The family went back to Glenfield Hospital on February 24 for an ECHO scan, ECG and consultation. The cardiologist was worried about Gracie as her pulmonary artery is blocked and she kept going blue.
Birmingham’s Children Hospital were contacted to try and push the 12-hour operation forward and Paige told The Lincolnite: “We should find out a date for the operation on Friday for sometime in the next week or so.
“I have to keep checking her oxygen levels throughout the day, which I have been shown how to do, and we have open access at the local hospital in Lincoln who can support her when needed and transfer her to Birmingham if her condition gets worse.
“I want to say a massive thank you (to the staff at Glenfield Hospital and other hospitals) for trying to save our daughter. We can’t thank them enough as without them she wouldn’t be here.
“They are unbelievable and go above and beyond, they are so family orientated and care for us and not just her.
“I am happy that she is getting sorted, but am nervous and feel very anxious. She is the light of our lives she’s amazing.”
Gracie’s mother said “she is the light of our lives”.
Becca told The Lincolnite: “Paige and Mitch have been amazing since the moment Gracie got her diagnosis. The strength and courage they have shown at every obstacle has been nothing short of inspirational.
“Gracie is such an amazing and brave little girl, and if this gives her mum and dad one less thing to worry about at such a difficult time then it’s done its job.
“We are behind them all the way and I’m truly overwhelmed at the kindness and generosity people have shown so far, at what is a difficult time for everybody.”
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Those who lost their lives at war to defend our freedoms will be honoured on Remembrance Day this year, as part of a weekend of services in Lincoln.
Remembrance services have been observed since the end of the First World War in 1918, to honour armed forces members who lost their lives serving their countries in the line of duty.
It is an annual tradition for services to be held across the country, and this year is no different, as Lincoln prepares for a weekend-long Remembrance of our heroes of war.
There will be a brief service on Remembrance Day itself, Thursday, November 11, held at the war memorial on Lincoln High Street and organised by the Royal British Legion.
The service at the Lincoln War Memorial. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Another service will be held at the war memorial on Saturday, November 13, this time organised by City of Lincoln Council in conjunction with the Royal British Legion.
The Armistice Service will be attended by the Lord Lieutenant, the Civic Party, members of council, freemen and more, with a wreath-laying opportunity and music provided by the Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue band.
The day after, on Remembrance Sunday, Lincoln Cathedral will host its usual annual service, with the Mayor of Lincoln in attendance along with the Civic Party and members of the council.
Elsewhere in the county, West Lindsey District Council have said that the chairman will be at All Saints in Gainsborough on the morning of Remembrance Sunday, and then All Saints Parish Church in Nettleham in the afternoon for two separate services.
In North East Lincolnshire, there will be services held in Grimsby, Immingham, Laceby, New Waltham and Cleethorpes to allow people to pay tribute.
Listening to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget live, who would have thought that over the last 18 months we have experienced one of the biggest economic shocks and seen unprecedented levels of financial intervention from a government to support our economy and public welfare.
It would be interesting to know if anyone has or was able to tot up the sums of money, billions and millions, pledged and earmarked in terms of public spending over the next few years.
It certainly seemed to be a Budget based on our economic and social prosperity being driven by investment in both the public and private sector. Whilst few predicted that this would be a Budget of tax hikes, it was not unreasonable to think it might have included some, or some inkling of future changes.
It looks like balancing the books is dependent on business innovation and investment, along with public sector and consumer spending giving rise to tax revenues from direct and indirect taxes.
With government borrowing at a level not seen since the end of the Second World War, there is surely a risk of a bumpy ride ahead if growth targets are not achieved and levelling up doesn’t really lead to levelling up.
The current rise in inflation is being, in part, attributed to increased and renewed global demand, particularly for goods following lockdown. This has led to supply chain issues along with increased energy costs linked to increased manufacturing and supply to meet such demand.
It is given this background coupled with low interest rates that inflation will settle down and so too will supply chain issues. However, perhaps workforce shortages will still be a real concern. The OBR forecast that the UK economy will return to pre-pandemic levels by the turn of the year.
Looking at the plethora of public sector spending announcements, few would disagree with much needed spending being allocated to our health service, education and infra structure projects, especially those that lead to a real levelling up. Those in the public sector will welcome the lift on the freeze for public sector pay increases.
More specific announcements, for businesses in particular, included the reduction in Business Rates for those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors including a 1-year discount of 50%, more frequent revaluations – every three years from 2023; and relief for adopting solar panels and a 12-month rate holiday on property improvements.
For those businesses looking to make capital investments, the £1m Annual Investment Allowance will be extended to March 2023, instead of ending in December.
The arts, museums, entertainment and culture sector will no doubt applaud the announcement that the covid support and recovery Creative Tax Reliefs will not only be doubled but that they will now remain in place until April 2023.
Whilst considering relief those involved in innovation, including research and development, will be delighted to hear about the enhanced reliefs available for R &D, along with increased funding available to support such activity through Innovate UK. For those undertaking research involving cloud computing and data, they will be pleased to hear that such costs are now eligible for tax relief.
Whilst the increase to the National Minimum Wage, for those aged over 23, from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour was announced before the Budget, few were perhaps aware of the pending changes to alcohol duty which focused going forward on these being ‘simpler, fairer and heathier’ – a key winner certainly seems to be English sparking wines and draft pulled beers/lagers all benefit from lower duties.
Moving on to fuel duty, but not advocating a drive to the pub, the good news as we face unprecedent prices at the pump, was that fuel duty will again be frozen.
It would be easy to think perhaps there was little in this Budget, in some ways it would be difficult not to agree. Perhaps the test will be around the impact and effectiveness of what seems to be an unprecedented public sector spending spree. In the Chancellor’s own words, it certainly seems like ‘an age of optimism’.
For further in-depth commentary of the Autumn Budget & Spending Review 2021 you can still register for Streets’ virtual presentation at 12noon till 1pm on Thursday 28th October. All those registering and unable to join live will receive a link to the presentation recording and a digital copy of our Budget Summary. Register here.
James Pinchbeck is Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants, a top 40 UK accountancy practice. James, as a specialist in marketing professional services, is responsible for the development and implementation of the firm's strategic marketing as well as its engagement in the community it which it works and serves. His role allows him to capitalise on his broad interest in the national and local economy as well as his passion for enterprise. As part of his wider interest in enterprise, marketing and education, James is a board member of NBV – the East Midlands Enterprise Agency, an FE College Governor and a board member of the University of Lincoln’s Business School. He is also an Institute of Director’s past Branch Chairman.
A local family are feline the excitement as they prepare to open their cat cafe in a new location in the uphill area of Lincoln on Friday, and The Lincolnite went for a sneak purr-eview.
Coffee Cats first opened on Silver Street on October 1, 2019. After the impact of the coronavirus pandemic made it difficult to afford the rent and business rates, the Brown family began looking for a new location.
The family-run business has now moved into the premises on The Strait formerly occupied by The Crafty Bottle, which closed last year when the brewing company left the UK for Portugal. Coffee Cats will reopen in its new location on Friday, October 29.
Ethel chilling out in the cafe. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Ethel and Nicky in the cafe window. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The cafe is run by Stephen Brown and his family, alongside assistant manager Natalia Cossey, and is home to seven cats – Empress Matilda, Snorri, Mark Anthony, Ratatoskr, Alfie, Ethel, and Nicky.
The oldest cat is 17-year-old Snorri, while Nicky is the youngest at just over a year old.
The cafe will be based downstairs and by Christmas the family will open a Viking-themed mead hall in the upstairs area of the premises, with comfy sofas and extra seating.
Inside Coffee Cats on The Strait in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Alfie relaxing in the cafe. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Mark Anthony is one of seven purr-fect cats at the cafe. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
While getting the new cafe ready and purr-fect for opening day, a high number of people have been spotted excitedly peering through the windows and taking photos of the cats in recent weeks.
Stephen told The Lincolnite: “We are anxious but ready. The cats are looking forward to seeing people too.
“We had so many looking through the window as we were getting ready and the cats will thrive from the extra attention when we open.”
Kevin and Stephen Brown with Ratatoskr (front) and Nicky (back). | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The cafe will be run by assistant manager Natalia Cossey and manager Stephen Brown. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Coffee Cats will be open between 11am and 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Friday-Sunday. Thursdays and evening opening times will be added in the future, along with cat yoga and other events.
The cafe operates on a booking system of £6 for an hour and with an age restriction of 11 and over – make bookings here.
As well as housing the seven adorable cats, the cafe will also serve Stokes Coffee and fresh treats, with vegan and gluten-free options.
The cafe will serve Stokes Coffee and fresh treats, including cakes. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A bookcase full of cat-themed books and games. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Coffee Cats is located on The Strait in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Coffee Cats customers and supporters can also sponsor the friendly felines at a price of £5 ‘purr’ cat via the cafe’s website.
More than one person can sponsor each cat and the money raised will go towards the upkeep of the animals, including food, cat litter and vet bills.
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