[James]

Joanne's second lifeline

A Down's syndrome woman, who shot to fame after a Big Brother winner gave his £70,000 prize to her for a major operation, has been given a second lifeline by two Shrewsbury pub-goers.

Winner of the first series of Channel 4’s reality show, builder Craig Phillips, gave the cash to his best friend’s cousin, Joanne Harris, in 2000.

The money will pay for a heart and lung transplant in America.

But while the 23-year-old has been waiting for her operation her condition has worsened.

She now needs a portable concentrate oxygen machine to buy her more time.

However, Joanne, of the Hand and Diamond pub, Coedway, was told the equipment was not available on the NHS and would cost £3,000. This week two pub regulars, Joe Jarvis and Mike Wynne-Jones, stepped in and gave £1,500 each to buy it.

Joanne’s mother Marion Harris said: “I work in the pub and the two gentlemen are regulars in there.

“They have both really took a shine to Jo and when I told them about not being able to get the oxygen machine on the NHS they offered to give us the money.

“I couldn’t believe it, I burst into tears when they told me. Generosity like that cannot go unmarked.

“It all happened on Monday and I can’t get over it, it’s like all our Christmases have come at once. Having the oxygen machine now buys us time.”

Mr Jarvis, of Yockleton, who is the former owner of the pub and now owns W & J Scaffolding of Harlescott, said: “I owned the pub for 14 years but sold it two years ago.

“I have known Jo for about six months, she’s a great girl and I guess you could say that I’m just a generous man.

“I know Mike through drinking in the pub and when I said I was going to give £1,500 towards the oxygen machine, he offered to do the same.”

Joanne, who also works in the pub, is hoping to get the portable oxygen machine in the next few weeks.

Marion said that Joanne, who had been enjoying good health up until recently, had also got engaged to Sean Smithurst last year.

He also has Down’s syndrome and she met him on holiday in Cyprus where he lives with his parents.

http://www.shrewsburychronicle.com/n...ticle_9949.php