Warrington bomb victim's parents open scanner unit

Colin and Wendy Parry formally opened a new CT scanner unit, dedicated

to the memory of their 12-year-old son, at Liverpool's Walton neuro-

centre.

Tim, who died five days after the IRA attack on March 20, was the

first patient to be treated on the #500,000 CT scanner, which provides

detailed 3-D X-ray images of the brain and other parts of the body.

Mr Parry fought back tears as he unveiled a plaque in his son's

memory, watched by his wife and their other two children, Dominic and

Abigail.

''Between March 20 and 25 this year we saw the very best that the

health service in this country can offer,'' he said.

''We spent time at Warrington hospital and the Walton centre and in

both places the staff were very kind, very professional and very good to

us as a family.

''In the end, it was not to be and Tim did not live but that was in no

way down to the hospital staff, who did their very best to save his

life.''

Mr Parry added: ''Since Tim died we have had to take stock of many

things and in some ways I think our lives will be changed for the

better.

''You certainly view your family and friends and people in general in

a far more sympathetic way because of what you have suffered.

''We have seen the immense kindness and compassion of humanity in many

places. It is quite overwhelming.''

The couple presented cheques for #2000 to the centre and to Warrington

General Hospital, where Tim was initially treated before being

transferred to Liverpool.

The money came in donations sent to the Parry family in the wake of

the tragedy.

After the ceremony, Mr Parry said it had been ''tough'' for them to

return to the hospital.

''As you probably saw, we felt very emotional, very moved and very

honoured.

''It is quite something to see a plaque in your son's name.''

Asked how they were coping now, Mr Parry replied: ''Since it happened,

we have gone day by day. We have certainly made no plans of any kind.