Send your inspirational stories to me at zoe.chamberlain@reachplc.com, I’d love to share them
04:09, 02 Oct 2026
Brave Leyland after recovering from his lifesaving operation
Today, we’re celebrating some amazing families doing great things to help others.
And we’d love to hear from you.
Take Laura Stuart. Her toddler, Leyland, had a liver transplant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital nine days after her baby was born, forcing her to leave her newborn with her mum in Edinburgh.
READ MORE: ‘My toddler had a liver transplant when my baby was nine days old and I’m so grateful’ – brave mum
READ MORE: ‘This is the story I wish I’d seen when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer aged three’ – mum
Her remarkable strength will make you want to sign up to the organ donor register.
Leyland Stuart had a liver transplant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital at just 18 months old
Then there’s Deborah Burrows who, like many mums, proudly dropped her daughter Darcey off at uni earlier this month.
But it was even more poignant because, at the age of just three, Darcey had battled and beaten cancer.
She’s bravely sharing what happened, saying ‘this is the story I wish I’d seen when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer aged three’.
Darcy Blakeman moving to uni
Next up, is Milly Dobson, who has fostered 17 children over the past seven years, continuing even after giving birth to two of her own.
She’s now opened a new role play centre in a beautiful old chapel in Coleshill, just 20 minutes from Brum.
We think that she, more than anyone, knows what kids and parents like and need!
Some of these stories have been chosen to be part of our new BirminghamLive Premium content curated especially for our subscribers, with fewer adverts making them more enjoyable to read.
You can see them by signing up for a £1 trial.
The Imagination Village at Giggle Wiggle and Grow play centre in Coleshill(Image: Catchlight Weddings)
Subscribers also support our journalists in delivering stories that truly make a difference in our region.
Let me know if you have an inspiring story you would like us to share by emailing me at zoe.chamberlain@reachplc.com
In other news, Alton Towers has launched its Scarefest and my friend Kirsty bravely went to check it out.
There’s Halloween fun for all ages, so you don’t have to go to the terrifying bits if you don’t want to (you have been warned!)
Drayton Manor is offering free tickets for teachers in October! Check out the T&Cs to see if you qualify.
McFly have been named as the first act for the new Ludlow Castle season, which will be a great place to watch them.
And, if you’re looking for a job to help pay for Christmas this year, there are jobs up for grabs at the German Market, paying £13.45 an hour with no experience necessary (although I imagine a love of Chrimbo would help!)
Have a great rest of the week
Love Zoe x
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