Baby had brain surgery as Downing Street lockdown party took place

Gemma Knowles described the traumatic moment leaving tiny eight-month-old Joseph as 'the hardest thing' she has ever had to do.

Covid rules in May 2020 meant dad David was unable to stay with his family at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

"Handing over my baby to professionals all dressed in PPE on my own was one of the worst days of my life," said Gemma, 37, who grew up in Knutsford.

Joseph was born with a bleed on the brain causing hydrocephalus

"They were only performing emergency operations and this was the only one that afternoon so there was a big team of around 15 people.

"The time I needed my husband there, he couldn't be. It was worse for him not being there for me and Joseph. He felt completely helpless, having to drive away."

The Prime Minister has admitted attending a garden party whilst the nation was not allowed to go into each other's homes or gardens to stop the spread of the virus, which claimed the lives of more than 150,700 lives in Britain.

Joseph playing with toys in hospital

Mr Johnson issued an apology in Parliament last week where he claimed he 'believed implicitly that it was a work event'.

"When everyone else is making sacrifices and going through these horrible experiences without their loved ones around them, you expect people at the top to be doing the same," said Gemma.

"So many of them broke the rules, socialising and enjoying themselves, whilst people were unable to see loved ones in hospital or have a proper send off for funerals.

The Knowles family at home for Christmas

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"He should have admitted it straight away. I think he is more sorry that he got caught."

Joseph was born in September 2019 with a bleed on the brain causing hydrocephalus.

"He had his first operation when he was only six weeks old to have a shunt fitted but this failed so an endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed," said Gemma, who lives in Chelford.

Baby Joseph Knowles had his first operation when he was only six weeks old

"A hole was made right next to Joseph's brain stem to allow an outflow for the fluid on his brain. The operation took three hours."

Gemma had to spend the night alone in a ward with her son as patients had to be segregated until a negative Covid test was carried out.

Joseph, now two, is making a good recovery, with support from his family including brother Jack, four.

Jack Knowles snuggling baby brother Joseph

"An hour after surgery, he was sat up playing," said Gemma. "He was such a little superstar. We are terribly proud of him for what he has been through.

Gemma, David, Jack and Joseph Knowles celebrating Jack's fourth birthday

"We are cautiously hopeful. Joseph has astounded us. He has come on in leaps and bounds. He is such a happy little boy.

Joseph hailed 'a little superstar'

"We will do all we can to support him."

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Before Joseph was born, grandad John Ryan, of Over Peover, donated £100k to the hospital, not realising his grandson would need critical care.

Joseph, now two, is making a good recovery

Mobberley-born David, 37, who ran the London Marathon in 2017 and raised £10k for the Christie with sister Sarah, hopes to get a place in this year's event to support the hospital.

David Knowles hopes to run the London Marathon again to thank surgeons for saving his son's life

"We want to give something back," said Gemma. "They saved Joseph's life. They are an amazing team. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful hospital."