Bedford grandad and granddaughter mark joint 100th birthday with skydive for hospital that saved both of their lives decades apart

A Grandad and Granddaughter from Bedford who were both treated for rare conditions at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) have marked their joint 100th birthday by taking part in a skydive to raise vital funds for the hospital that saved both of their lives.

Geoff Moore, 79, was just a few weeks old when he underwent surgery at GOSH for a rare bone disease in 1946. Nearly 60 years later, his granddaughter Francesca Clarke was diagnosed with a kidney tumour and underwent four major operations at GOSH in the first few weeks of her life.

To celebrate their joint 100th birthday – Francesca turned 21 and Geoff turned 79 in September – the pair marked the special milestone by taking part in a skydive in Peterborough to raise vital funds for GOSH Charity on October 18. Geoff’s youngest daughter Michelle also joined the skydive to say thanks to the hospital that played a big part in her family’s life.

Francesca said the skydive, which raised over £1770, is something she will “always remember”.

She said: “If it wasn’t for GOSH, I wouldn’t be here today. Doing this skydive with my Grandad and Michelle felt amazing. It’s something I’ll always remember, and I’m proud that we raised money to help other children who need GOSH’s care.”

Geoff was born with a rare bone disease and was admitted to GOSH after having difficulty breathing. His parents were told he was lucky to survive, and after surgery, Geoff made a full recovery and went on to live an active life, including running the London Marathon in 2007 for GOSH Charity and Scope, two charities that mean a lot to Geoff and his wife Pearl.

He said: “I was a few weeks old when I was taken to GOSH and had the operation that saved my life. To be here all these years later, doing this with Francesca, feels very special. We’ve both been given a second chance thanks to the hospital and this was our way and Michelle’s of giving back.”

In 2004, his granddaughter Francesca was born a month premature with a rare tumour on her kidney, called a Mesoblastic Nephroma, and she underwent surgery to remove both when she was nine days old. The tumour weighed one pound, with Francesca herself weighing just five pounds at the time.

There were complications that led to three further operations, and Francesca spent her first month at GOSH, including time in intensive care. Throughout that time, her parents Clare and Jason remained by her side. Clare stayed with Francesca at night, while Jason stayed in family accommodation provided by GOSH Charity, allowing him to also be close to the hospital.

On her original due date Francesca, was able to go home. Clare and Jason said: “We’ll always be so grateful to GOSH for saving her.” They added: “When Francesca was born, we were told more than once that she might not make it. To watch her grow up leading a normal life and seeing her turn 21 and celebrate in such an amazing way with her Grandad, Michelle and all the family is something we’ll be forever grateful for. She really is our miracle.”

After Francesca’s surgeries, she was reviewed regularly at GOSH – starting with once every two days, before that gradually reduced. Clare added: “Dad took us to every check-up at first whilst Pearl stayed at home working and sorting things out like she did in the initial weeks of Francesca’s life, whilst we were in GOSH.

“Dad and Pearl have other children who were all young and lived at home at the time and Pearl kept everything going at home which enabled Dad to help Jason and I with Francesca. Both Jason and I are immensely grateful to them both for everything they continuously did and still do for us all.”

Clare and Jason also wanted to share their thanks to all their immediate family for the support during their time at GOSH – including phone calls, messages and visits – saying they would always be grateful.

The family said the skydive was a celebration of how far Geoff and Francesca have come and a way to give something back to GOSH. Francesca also took part in the skydive as a tribute to their close family friend, Giovanni Caruso who sadly passed away aged 57 in September and is sorely missed.

Get involved in a GOSH Charity fundraising event and help give seriously ill children the best chance and childhood possible.

Donate to Francesca’s fundraising page, donate to Geoff’s fundraising page, or donate to Michelle’s fundraising page.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) stops at nothing to help give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer. For the hundreds of children from all over the UK who are treated by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) every day, for children with rare or complex illnesses everywhere, for this generation and all those to come.

GOSH has been transforming the lives of seriously ill children since opening its doors in 1852 and has always depended on charitable support. GOSH Charity funds groundbreaking research into children’s health, cutting-edge medical equipment, child-centred medical facilities and the support services children and families going through the toughest journey of their lives urgently need. But there is so much more we need to do.

Together with our supporters, we can give seriously ill children the best chance, and the best childhoods, possible. Because we believe no childhood should be lost to serious illness.

Join us, visit gosh.org today.