My story

Thanks for taking the time to visit Ruby's Just Giving page.

Paul and I wanted to raise money to support the amazing team at St.Michael's Hospital, Bristol with all that they did for our Ruby from her birth. She wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Professor Marianne Thoresen and her team at St. Michael's.

In 1998, Professor Marianne Thoresen was one of the first to study induced hypothermia for newborns suffering from asphyxia. She found that lowering the body temperature of babies following oxygen deprivation protects the newborn brain. Professor Thoresen realised the potential xenon and cooling could have when combined. St Michael’s then became the first hospital in the world to treat a baby with xenon in March 2010.  

Ruby was a recipient of this 'cooling process' after being transfered to St.Michael's after her emergency c-section birth on Wednesday 30th March 2011. Every day Ruby was in the intensive care unit and then the high dependency unit Paul and Lisa were visited by Marianne to discuss Ruby's treatment and next steps. She spent her first month of life in hospital until she was not dependant on machines.

Paul and Lisa now meet Marianne as part of ongoing reviews of Ruby's development. While discussing Ruby's progress but also issues with feeding/toileting/weight gain at the first review in August 2011 Marianne diagnosed a bowel stricture. Subsequently 3 days later at the beginning of September Ruby was then operated on at Bristol Children's Hospital to remove the stricture. 2 weeks later she was at home, we couldn't get enough milk in her and then Ruby started on solids! Her weight gain was rapid and her physical development improved as she had energy and was comfortable to do things.

As a result of the injury to her brain she has a moderate/severe hearing loss. Ruby has worn hearing aids from the age of 3 months. It was tricky as she would pull them out and put them in her mouth or drop them randomly. She is now wearing them 24/7 apart from sleep times or near water (Swimming, bath, by the sea, paddling pool).

Ruby's physical development has been delayed because of the lack of nutrition for the first few months of her life and also issues with using the right side of her body. She bottom shuffled as a baby, began to do a bunny hop crawl and began taking aided steps at 1 years old. She would make her way around our house in this way quite fast!!!

However in October 2012 this all changed when Ruby took her first unaided steps. A sight we never thought we would see from her first diagnosis!!! Ruby's never looked back and walks loads. Her physiotherapist is pleased with her progress, althoug, we do still need to do exercises with her and support the development of  using her right hand and right leg independently of her left.

We are so pleased and excited how many hurdles that Ruby has overcome at 2 years of age. This last year has been immense with so many lovely times. Ruby is a dream to be around. As parents we love her coming to give us a kiss and a cuddle. But also the cheeky giggling when she's climbing up onto the sofa and bouncing on it!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate and raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

My gallery 10

My updates 2

Neil ran the Bristol 10k in 46 minutes 23 seconds! WOW! He came 1399 put of over 9000 runners. Super run Neil. Well done. Ruby, Lisa & Paul had a fab time cheering him on with Tracy in Bristol.

06/05/13 20:19

Neil Boulton (husband of Lisa's bridesmaid) will be running the Bristol 10K on Sun 5th May. Donation message to say "Sponsoring Neil Boulton who is doing the 10K for Cots for Tots appeal." Thanks in advance!

09/04/13 21:29

My Teams

My company

My charity

Cots for Tots

Cots for Tots

Charity Registration No. 1043603

Cots for Tots supports the vital work of the neo-natal intensive care unit at St Michaels Hospital in Bristol. Our aim is to ensure the babies and their families from Bristol and throughout the Southwest have the very best possible care and facilites available. http://www.cotsfortots.org.uk

Donations 71

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Congratulations to Neil for his charity run. Lots of love to Ruby too.

Donation by Amanda Freeman on 15/05/13

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Congratulations to Neil for running to support Ruby's charity - Cots for Tots. Well done on running the Bristol 10K in 46 minutes.

Donation by Judi Britton on 13/05/13

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With love to a very special little girl - big thanks to Neil for running the Bristol 10K to help Cots for Tots appeal.

Donation by Pam Wildsmith on 13/05/13

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Well done Neil for completing the Bristol 10K in aid of Cots for Tots appeal. A very good cause to run for.

Donation by Eve Moore on 13/05/13

Good Luck to Neil running the Bristol 10K for Cots for Tots appeal. Great cause.

Donation by Peter R on 13/05/13

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Donation by Jacqueline Hughes on 02/05/13

Donation by Lauren Ash on 30/04/13

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Good luck Neil Boulton for your 10K run in Bristol, in aid of Cots for Tots for Ruby. Love to Ruby and a hearty pat on the back to Neil.

Donation by Claire, Steven and Katy Saunders on 24/04/13

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Good Luck on the 5th - a cause well worth running for.

Donation by Carol & Allan Paice on 19/04/13

£70.00 from selling things of Ruby's on ebay to add to the sponsor donations for Neil Boulton who will be running the Bristol 10K in 5th May 2013.

Donation by Mummy Wickes on 17/04/13

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Neil Boulton running the forthcoming Bristol 10K in aid of 'Cots for Tots' for RUBY. Good luck Neil - Our Love to Ruby.

Donation by Great Aunty Betty & Uncle Michael on 15/04/13

Neil Boulton - running the Bristol 10K on 5th May and raising money for "Cots for Tots appeal" for Ruby. Good Luck! Best Wishes Katie (Godmummy!)

Donation by Katie Lee - Godmummy on 14/04/13

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Donation from grandad & grandma Cornwall for Neil Boulton running 10 kilometers for cots for tots & our special Ruby.

Donation by Pam Parsons on 13/04/13

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I am sponsoring Neil Boulton who is running in the Bristol 10K on Sunday 5 May in aid of "Cots for Tots". Good luck Neil.

Donation by Jennette Wickes on 13/04/13

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A little something to celebrate Ruby's second birthday. Wishing you lots more happy times together. xxxxxxx

Donation by Debbie, Gary, Amylou & Dan x on 11/04/13

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Sponsoring Neil Boulton who is doing the Bristol 10K for "Cots for Tots appeal". Here's some money from mummy and daddy to start the ball rolling!

Donation by Mummy and Daddy Wickes on 10/04/13

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£30 from selling clothes Ruby has had on ebay. Thanks for all those who bid on them.

Donation by Mummy Wickes on 25/03/13

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£100 from selling larger things of Ruby's. Thank you for all of you who collected them from our house. Good to see her things going to good homes.

Donation by Mummy Wickes on 16/03/13

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Well done on your successful fundraising! What a lovely little girl xx

Donation by Jacqueline Excell on 18/02/13

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£80.00 from selling things on ebay of Ruby's. Thank you everyone for helping raise a little more money for Cots for Tots appeal in Bristol.

Donation by Mummy Wickes on 17/02/13

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Merry Christmas to you all. Love Rachel and Angharad xx

Donation by Rachel Evans on 24/12/12

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Donation by Jacqueline Hughes on 20/12/12

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Merry Christmas to the lovely Ruby and of course to Mummy and Daddy Wickes. Hope you all have a wonderfuly festive time! Lots of Love xxxx

Donation by Michelle Stokes on 19/12/12

Donation by Lauren Ash on 17/12/12

Merry Christmas Lisa, Paul and Ruby. You have a beautiful daughter... Love Sandra x

Donation by Sandra Dixon on 13/12/12

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$2,549.49
  • Offline donations$0.00
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$2,549.49
  • Gift Aid$599.43

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.