"Her loss is unimaginable": Schoolgirl Maisie Almond who complained of ‘tummy ache’ died just two weeks later

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Parents of ‘happy, kind and positive’ teenager, Maisie Almond, have spoken of their devastation after the 14-year-died just two weeks after complaining of tummy ache.

A schoolgirl who complained of having ‘tummy ache’ at the start of the new term, died just two weeks later. Maisie Almond, who was just 14 years old, was previously healthy, leaving her family “utterly devastated” by the sudden loss.

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On September 15, Maisie returned from her job, volunteering at a charity shop with what everyone thought was a stomach bug. However, when she woke up that night with stomach pains, she had also developed jaundice in her eyes.

Parents Kathryn and Stuart Almond immediately took her to A&E at Tameside Hospital where she was tested for various conditions including hepatitis. However, it was revealed that Maisie was actually suffering from acute liver failure and would need a transplant.

On September 27 she was transferred to Children's Intensive Care ward at Leeds General Infirmary. After going to the top of the organ donor list a match was found, but it sadly came too late.

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She was taken to theatre on October 1 but due to her condition having deteriorated, she was unable to undergo the 12-hour procedure and she died in the early hours of October 2. Her devastated parents were told if the liver had been available even one day earlier, Maisie may have survived.

Parents of ‘happy, kind and positive’ teenager, Maisie Almond, have spoken of their devastation after the 14-year-died just two weeks after complaining of tummy ache.Parents of ‘happy, kind and positive’ teenager, Maisie Almond, have spoken of their devastation after the 14-year-died just two weeks after complaining of tummy ache.
Parents of ‘happy, kind and positive’ teenager, Maisie Almond, have spoken of their devastation after the 14-year-died just two weeks after complaining of tummy ache. | Kathryn Almond / GoFundMe

Kathryn said: “Tragically Maisie developed acute liver failure out of the blue and needed a liver transplant. She got her donor liver but it came too late.”

She added: “We are utterly devastated by the sudden loss of our beautiful girl Maisie. She was the most happy, kind, positive person, always smiling, always chatting. Instead of having a Saturday morning lie-in, she’d be up and out, volunteering at Willow Wood charity shop in Hyde, sorting through bags of donated clothes and pricing them up to sell in the shop.”

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Determined to honour Maisie’s memory, her mum is crowdfunding for a number of charities under the name, Maisie’s Missions, saying they are “dedicated to making a difference to others in Maisie’s name”.

She said: Instead of supporting one charity, we’d like to support a few projects hence “Maisie’s Missions”. The family initially hoped to raise £2,500 which is a target they have already smashed, so they have now committed to "dream bigger", stretching their goal to £20,000 having already reached £17,495 within a week of launching the fundraiser.

As well as raising cash for good causes, the family also want to raise the profile of organ donation and blood donations. Kathryn said: “In England, everyone is opted in to organ donation. However, their family can still opt out if they are unsure of their intentions. By registering to become an organ donor, you could give others the chance of life and hope in a time of tragedy.

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“Maisie received blood whilst in hospital, and would have needed significantly more during the 12 hour transplant operation. Please donate if you can. It takes less than one hour, you get to have a nice lie down, a chat with the lovely nurses and a cuppa and biscuit afterwards. But most importantly that hour is helping to save or improve someone’s life.”

On the family’s GoFundMe page, they have posted a message of thanks for anyone making a donation. They wrote: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support. Her loss is unimaginable, we are utterly heartbroken. We will make sure Maisie’s light continues to shine through the lives we touch.”

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