A MUM is desperately calling for cash to buy a vital piece of kit which could keep her son alive.

Maureen Bignell has already lost her husband Paul at age 57 and her daughter Karen when she was 37 to heart failure, and could potentially lose her son Stephen as a result of the hereditary abnormal heart muscle he has.

Echo:

With Stephen being at high risk of a cardiac arrest, Mrs Bignell is hoping to raise £1,100 for a manual defibrillator to keep in their home.

The 67-year-old, from Benfleet, said: “We had no idea that my husband had this hereditary defect which he had passed on through our family.

“Stephen’s heart stopped was he was four, and he had open heart surgery to try and start it again. By the time this happened, his brain had been starved of oxygen and he was left disabled with brain damage and scoliosis.

“It was such a hard time. As soon as Stephen came out of hospital Paul went in, followed by Karen. They both never came out.”

Maureen added: “Karen’s life was saved twice thanks to her implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which is like a pace maker.

“Unfortunately due to the curvature of Stephen’s spine he can’t have one, but we still want to give him as many chances as he can get.

“A manual defibrillator would mean not having to wait ages for an ambulance or having to travel one and a half miles to our nearest one if he has a cardiac emergency. Without it he has no protection.

“Time is of the essence now. This could save him and give him those extra years which he deserves. It’s terrifying to go through as a mother, but I’d kick myself if I stood by and did nothing and lost another child.”

On Friday, Charlotte Gaish, Maureen’s great niece, will be completing a 5k run through Hornchurch to raise those all important funds.

To donate, visit http://bit.do/e6M3M.

The 23 year old from Rainham, said: “I want to do all I can to help my family, they’ve been through such a heartbreaking time, and losing Stephen would be unimaginable.

“This is also something we want to be available for the whole community to use.”