A FUNDRAISER to help a Monmouth mum of twins who suffered a massive stroke minutes after they were born has raised £4,000.

The event, held on Saturday night at The Gatehouse pub in the town, brings the total raised in just over two months to more than £27,000 of the £40,000 target.

Event organiser and close friend Jessica Haagen said she is ‘overwhelmed’ by the support shown at the event and through donations made to the online fund page.

Charlotte Fairlie,35, was being monitored for pre-eclampsia ( a condition involving high blood pressure) when she had a stroke following the birth of healthy sons Fox and Teddy at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny on December 14 last year.

She was quickly transferred to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff after further complications led to a blood clot on her brain, followed by two brain bleeds. Mrs Fairlie, a nursery school department leader, had to have part of her skull removed and spent two weeks in a coma.

The stroke has left her with right-sided paralysis, brain damage and loss of her short-term memory.

She returned home in September and is continuing her rehabilitiation. 

Miss Haagen and a group of Mrs Fairlie’s school friends set up a fundraising page two months ago to raise £40,000. The money is being used to help pay for equipment and support the family needs.

Miss Haagen said the night, featuring a raffle, auction and live music, was an overwhelming success.

She said: “We were donated some fantastic prizes for the auction and raffle that included tickets to see ‘Wicked’, Noel Gallagher and Rod Stewart in concert, Manchester United V Southampton football tickets, Newport Gwent Dragons, a luxury stay at the Celtic Manor Resort and a tour of Westminster Palace.”

“The venue was packed and people bid generously. We had live music from Hannah Hill, Craig Wilson, Josh Hopkins, Ryan Lee and Breaking Band, with Daniel Siggers on drums. They kindly volunteered to perform for free and Jenny Yeates kindly stepped in to host the auction at the last minute.”

“I was blown away by the support and the funds raised really will make a difference to Charlotte, Rob and the boys.”

Miss Haagen said Mrs Fairlie is continuing to make progress and that the funding means she can have extra intensive therapy.

“Rob is also buying Charlotte an all-terrain wheelchair which will enable the family to be able to go out on their own without carers.”

To find out more visit gofundme.com/Charlottes-Journey