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Couple's music raises money for children's hospice

CHSW A woman and a man stand next to each other and look at the camera and smile. The woman has black short hair and is wearing a black jacket and the man has a light brown jacket, burgundy top with a check collar. CHSW
The couple were asked to help with fundraising by Josh's best friend

A husband and wife singing duo have raised more than £570 for a children’s hospice, in memory of a little girl who was cared for by the charity.

Claire and Dean Champness, from Westbury-on-Trym in Bristol, recorded their own version of the song ‘Special’, originally written by The Dualers.

The money raised from CD sales is going to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) in honour of Phoebe Pring, who died aged seven from brain and heart failure.

Mrs Champness said: “This is our way of remembering Phoebe and raising money for such an incredible charity which supported the family so much.”

CHSW A close up of Mr and Mrs Champness holding four CD covers with Phoebe's black and white picture on it. CHSW
The couple are taking the CD to their gigs, offering them to audiences in return for a donation

When Phoebe was born, her mum Jessica and dad Josh took her home thinking she was a healthy little girl, but soon became concerned when she started choking on her milk while being fed.

Phoebe spent six weeks in hospital undergoing various tests which revealed she had a condition causing milk to go into her lungs and affect her breathing.

She was also diagnosed with hypotonia, a disease which affects the muscles.

Family photo Phoebe sitting in a pram with a bright yellow fluffy blanket. She has blonde hair tied up in a ponytail and light blue eyes.Family photo
Phoebe had to be tube-fed to prevent her from choking

At the age of three, Phoebe was rushed back to hospital, suffering with pneumonia and apnoea episodes.

Following a six-week stay in Bristol Children’s Hospital, the family were dealt another devastating blow.

Phoebe had been diagnosed with Rett syndrome – a rare genetic disease that affects brain development and causes severe disability.

“To be told that just rocked us as a family,” said dad Josh.

It was then the family were referred to CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice in Wraxall, Somerset.

In April this year, doctors broke the news to the family that Phoebe’s heart and brain were failing, and there was unfortunately nothing more they could do for her.

Phoebe was surrounded by her loved ones, when she died at the age of seven earlier this year.

The money raised by the couple will go towards supporting children and their families through end of life care.

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