A RYEDALE mum has thanked family and friends for their help in seeing her through three health scares - one of which almost claimed the life of her baby boy.

Claire Jackson, of Snainton, said without their support she and husband Richard could not have coped.

Just weeks after giving birth to her son Kieron in June, Claire herself had to be taken to hospital after she collapsed and haemorrhaged.

Weeks later, her four-year-old son Joseph was rushed into hospital when he started passing blood.

Then, as if things weren't bad enough, her newly-born baby Kieron developed a chest infection and had to be put on a life support machine.

"Things just got worse and we didn't think it was going to end," she said.

"It was bad when I started haemorrhaging because I had just dropped my daughter off at nursery when I collapsed.

"I was taken to hospital and it turned out I was all right but it was frightening when it happened."

When Joseph started passing blood, he was rushed to hospital.

"He had developed a kidney infection and though he is in no danger now he may still have to have surgery," said Claire.

"Then, one day, Kieron very suddenly became very ill. We took him straight to Scarborough District Hospital and eventually to St James's Hospital where he was put on a life support system.

"We were really worried he was going to die but he pulled through - the doctors suspect he may have contracted a strain of viral bronchitis though they can't prove it."

At one point, Kieron, who is now home and well, had 14 tubes going into his body.

Joseph is also well though in coming weeks he will be admitted to St James's Hospital, in Leeds, for further tests and possible surgery.

"At the time, we were very worried about what was going to happen," said Claire.

"Our family and friends rallied round and looked after my other children Amber, who is eight, and Jessica, who is six.

"This allowed us to concentrate on looking after Joseph and Kieron.

"Hopefully nothing else will go wrong - they do say trouble comes in threes. I would just like to thank everyone for their support."

Updated: 12:23 Thursday, August 16, 2001