A BRATTON CLOVELLY family this week issued a big 'thank you' to students at Okehampton College, who recently raised a substantial sum of money to a charity very close to their hearts. James Scott is now a happy and healthy two-year old. However, if it hadn't been for the determination of his parents, Dalanie and Lee Scott, the miracles of modern medicine and the dedication of nursing staff things could have been profoundly different. James was born in October 2005 but by March 2006 his health had deteriorated rapidly. He began to suffer from sickness and diarrhoea. This was followed by a change in his breathing pattern, he could only take fast shallow breaths. On April 3 2006, James was taken to Okehampton hospital and were doctors immediately referred him to Exeter. That night James was given oxygen and x-rays were taken. The next day, on morphine to manage his pain, he was taken by ambulance to Bristol Children's Hospital. He remained there for eight months. During this time James had eleven general anaesthetics and five operations. He underwent biopsies, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasounds, x-rays, brain scans, heart scans and countless blood tests. Throughout this time he was nil-by-mouth and fed by a Hickman line that delivered a fluid to keep him alive straight into his heart. Delanie said: 'In the children's hospital there is a fold-down bed by every cot so a parent can stay overnight. My husband and I "top and tailed", the bed was less than a metre wide. 'We did this for four nights, becoming more and more tired and emotionally drained.' It became apparent to the Scotts they would have to stay in Bristol. Aware they could not spend all their time in the hospital they had to consider staying in a bed and breakfast indefinitely — and the financial implications this would have. However, they were informed of the Ronald McDonald House by nurses at the hospital. The RMH provides accommodation for parents who have children in the hospital for no cost. Mrs Scott said: 'If it hadn't had been for them I don't know what we would have done. It was a five minute walk away from the hospital and each room had a direct line to the hospital so we could be called back at any time if we were needed. 'It was such a relief, at the time we thought James would be in hospital for a few weeks, we had no idea that this trauma would last for 8 months.' On November 10 2006 James had a life saving operation that lasted nine hours — he was eventually discharged on December 6. There are Ronald McDonald Houses near to most children's hospitals in the country and in other parts of the world. They are a charity and rely on donations and fund raising. Mrs Scott recently contacted Okehampton College, where she used to be a pupil, about raising funds for RMH. Through a sponsored run the college helped raised more than £500. Mrs Scott said: 'I would like to thank Okehampton College and I would very much like to raise money for Ward 31 where James spent 8 months and was given such loving care, and the RMH which gave me support and helped me survive.' Further information about the charity, is available on their website http://www.rmhc.org.uk">www.rmhc.org.uk