In the six years of his life, brave Kieran has had over 20 broken and fractured bones: Here's how he is helping the hospital that cares for him

Brave Scarborough lad Kieran Dube is stepping out to thank the amazing NHS staff helping him battle a rare bone condition.
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Kieran has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which makes his bones incredibly fragile and easy to break.

At just six, he has already suffered more than 20 broken and fractured bones.

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But, as he gets older, the frequency of breaks is reducing and – before lockdown – he had been enjoying school and playing with friends like most other children his age.

Kieran Dube preparing to raise money for Sheffield's Children's Hospital.Kieran Dube preparing to raise money for Sheffield's Children's Hospital.
Kieran Dube preparing to raise money for Sheffield's Children's Hospital.

Now he is planning a sponsored walk to raise funds for the specialist team at Sheffield Children’s Hospital who have been helping him.

Mum Rachel says the nurses there “can’t do enough for him”.

“He wanted to say thank you to all the team on the ward that have looked after him so much. The nurses are fantastic,” she said.

“It’s constant worry and stress when he breaks but the hospitals here in Scarborough and in Sheffield are so good.”

Brothers Christian, Ryan and Kieran Dube. Pictures by Richard Ponter.Brothers Christian, Ryan and Kieran Dube. Pictures by Richard Ponter.
Brothers Christian, Ryan and Kieran Dube. Pictures by Richard Ponter.
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Kieran’s last broken bone was in March and the longest he has ever been without a break or fracture is a year.

“As he gets older and more knowledgeable about his condition then his breaks should slow,” said Rachel.

Kieran was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta when he was a baby. His is Type Five – one of the rarest forms.

He visits Sheffield Children’s Hospital every three months for infusions to help protect his bones.

The Dube family ... Christian, mum Rachel, dad Sani, Kieran and Ryan.The Dube family ... Christian, mum Rachel, dad Sani, Kieran and Ryan.
The Dube family ... Christian, mum Rachel, dad Sani, Kieran and Ryan.
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Their care has helped mean he can attend St George’s Primary School in Eastfield, along with his brothers Ryan and Christian, and where Rachel works as a lunchtime assistant.

“It’s so nice to see him at school playing and see him being him,” she said.

“He loves it and they’re really supportive of him.”

Kieran’s sponsored walk will take place on Monday July 20 when he will walk one and a half miles from Scarborough Spa to The Sands.

All the money raised will go to Medical Daycare, the ward where he is cared for at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

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For more information about Kieran’s walk and to sponsor him, visit https://www.facebook.com/KieranDubeO.Istory.

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