Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Charlie John Manders was born 9 weeks premature on 22/01/2011 weighing 2lbs 10oz. He spent the first 5 weeks of his life in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU/Neonatal Unit) at Wexham Park Hospital. The care he recieved was absolutely second to none!

Following an emergency cesarian section, we heard our little boy cry for the very first time which was amazing to hear as this is not guarenteed at 31 weeks. It meant he was breathing by himself! However, his tiny little lungs struggled that first night and the Doctors had to Intubate/Ventilate him to stop him becoming too tired. Gradually he was weaned off the ventilator and was back to breathing by himself after a few days. This meant that after three days we had our first cuddle (Kangaroo Care!). What an amazing feeling! This was however somewhat daunting with all the lines and tubes we had to work around, but the nursing staff enabled us to focus on this lovely moment with all the help they gave us. Everything was fully explained and they had such a calm, controlled and professional manner.

There are three rooms in the Neonatal Unit. The "Hot Room" (Intesive/High dependency unit), the "2nd stage room" (Quieter room) and finally the "departure lounge". The goal as a new parent is to see your little one progress nicely throughout these stages, and Charlie did just that! Obviously there were ups and downs, but overall he did very well with all the expert care he revcieved from the Doctors, Sisters, Nurses and Nursery nurses. Without exception, the staff in the unit, where all so positive, friendly, fun, professional and meticulous in their approach to their work.

We were lucky enough to bring our little man home after 5 weeks, weighing just shy of 4lbs.

Unfortunately, not all the children in the unit are as lucky, and we met some truely inspirational people walking around. Dotted all around the walls of the departement are many different stories, and accounts of experiencing the SCBU/Neonatal Unit at Wexham Park Hospital - All however with the same loving and respectful appreciation of the amazing work the unit does for Children.

This is what lead me and my collegues (Diana and Lucy) to raise money for this fantastic cause!!! So I hope you can help us in the process, by supporting us to cycle 100 miles from the New Forest to the Isle of Wight, round the Island and then back up to the New Forest again.

MANY THANKS!!!

John and Louise Manders xxx

Cycling Team: ***Diana, Lucy and John***