BABY JOY FOR THE BROWNS; Downing St confirm their new arrival is expected in October.Byline: BRENDAN McGINTYJOYFUL Chancellor Gordon Brown yesterday revealed his wife Sarah is pregnant. The happy news comes just over a year after the tragic death of their first baby, Jennifer Jane The Browns were devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. when the tot lost her 10-day fight for life last January. A spokesman for the couple yesterday said they were delighted and overwhelmed by the news. Mr Brown's spokesman added: "Sarah and Gordon Brown are expecting a baby in October. "This is clearly good and welcome news and Sarah is fit and well." Friends voiced their delight at the news last night and revealed the couple had kept 38- year-old Sarah's pregnancy a closely-guarded secret. One said: "No one had any idea but it really is great news. They will be terrific parents and it really is the best possible news after the sadness of last year." The nation's heart went out to the Chancellor, 58, and his wife during the traumatic days after baby Jennifer's premature birth premature birth Birth less than 37 weeks after conception. Infants born as early as 23–24 weeks may survive but many face lifelong disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness). . The couple were overjoyed at their daughter's arrival a few days after Christmas 2001. In the hours after her birth the normally dour new dad looked exhilarated ex·hil·a·rate tr.v. ex·hil·a·rat·ed, ex·hil·a·rat·ing, ex·hil·a·rates 1. To cause to feel happily refreshed and energetic; elate: We were exhilarated by the cool, pine-scented air. and declared that "politics matters less today." Jennifer was born seven weeks early by Caesarian section at Forth Park Maternity Hospital, Kirkcaldy, weighing just 2lb 4oz. But complications set in and the tiny youngster died after suffering a brain haemorrhage. At her funeral, the Chancellor's brother John Brown described her as "a little angel who came and went". Yesterday, John congratulated the couple after the Downing Street Downing Street, Westminster, London, England. On the street are the British Foreign Office and, at No. 10, the residence of the first lord of the Treasury, who is usually (although not necessarily) the prime minister of Great Britain. announcement saying: "We were delighted to hear the news and wish them both every happiness." Another close pal of the couple said: "Everybody is over the moon. I'm sure close family knew but I've rang a few other friends after being told and no one had an inkling. "They must have been wanting to keep it quiet as long as possible." In February, Sarah gave no hint of the happy news when she launched a new charity for sick newborn babies also backed by her husband. She said she wanted it to provide a "lasting memory" of Jennifer. In a moving letter to potential donors, Sarah said she hoped the new research unit will discover treatments that save lives. She wrote: "Last year, Gordon and I were overwhelmed by the kindness and support. "Since then, we have kept in close contact with the doctors, nurses and midwives who helped bring us the precious time we had. "Nothing could fault the care given, but it is clear that greater research brings new understanding, which in turn helps save babies. "So many have asked if they can make a charitable donation in Jennifer's memory and this has inspired me." The Chancellor has pledged to start the fund by donating the royalties of a book he is writing on courage, Sarah has revealed. And her mother, Pauline Macaulay, has signed up to run in the London Marathon The London Marathon is a road marathon that has been held each year in London since 1981, usually in April. In addition to being one of the top five international marathons run over the traditional distance of 42. this April. The Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory will be set up at the new Research Institute of Medical Cell Biology Cell biology The study of the activities, functions, properties, and structures of cells. Cells were discovered in the middle of the seventeenth century after the microscope was invented. at the Royal Infirmary Royal Infirmary may refer to:
Once funding begins, scientists will try to find out what causes premature births. The project will run for three years, starting this Autumn. To contribute, write a cheque to PiggyBankKids, and label it for the Jennifer Brown Research Fund. Send to PiggyBankKids, 16 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3ED or visit www.piggybankkids.org |
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