Many thanks for visiting my fundraising page.   Let me tell you a little about why I’ve set this up and what I am aiming to do……..

With your generous support I have reached my target of £3000 - thank you so much everyone. 

But please don't let that stop you from donating, more money equals more life saving equipment to help more little babies - what more can I say? 

My son, Taylor James was born unexpectedly on 26th June 2008.  He should not have been born until October.  Three and a half months early he weighed just 1lb 9oz and would have fitted in the palm of my hand, his own tiny hand the size of my thumb nail.  We were told his chances of survival were around 50% and that if he was one of the lucky ones the odds of a disability were high.  Of course, we loved him from the start and each day he bravely battled on, determined it seemed to make his mark on this world.  I know that he certainly touched the hearts of all our family, friends and colleagues who supported Taylor and my wife and I through those early days.

Taylor was looked after by the fantastic staff of the Trevor Mann Baby Unit (TMBU) at theRoyalSussexCountyHospital inBrighton.   It is the only Intensive Care Unit in the area and looks after all critically ill babies born too early or too sick to survive on their own.   Without them we would not have our beautiful baby son.  We do not know what the future holds for him but he has one.  Unfortunately we saw too many babies who were not so lucky.

So what’s this all about?  It's simple, I would like to give something back.  To help other babies who need the kind of specialist help and equipment that the TMBU provide.  Taylor’s main problem was his lungs.  Being born so early they were just not ready to breathe for him and so Taylor was ventilated for much of his early life.  Eventually he became strong enough and mature enough to breathe on his own with support and extra oxygen.  He gradually progressed from ventilators to less invasive forms of breathing support until finally being placed on a Vapotherm machine.  This innovative machine provided gentle, effective support and enabled us to see his face for the first time without hats and masks.  Taylor liked it, we liked it.  The TMBU is one of only a few units across the UK using this relatively new equipment, the purchase of which was by donation rather than NHS funding.

I would like to be able to raise enough money for the TMBU to buy one or more Vapotherm machines so that more babies can benefit from it. That’s what this is all about. The last ten months have been an incredible emotional roller coaster and a hugely personal experience for Teresa and I. For me to ask you for sponsorship, I have to do something personal to me.

All my life my hair has been a feature - called 'the boy with the lovely hair' when small and 'Bouffant' as a young man my hair has never gone unnoticed. Even though it's now a little grey it's all still there so I've decided to shave it all off – a big step for me. I love my hair but I love Taylor more and in comparison to the start little TJ has had it is a very small sacrifice. Please support me in raising money for the TMBU to buy a much needed piece of equipment, one that certainly helped Taylor's recovery. One machine costs approx. £3,000 so that’s the aim but the hair will come off whatever!  (TheBrighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS charitable funds is the umbrella charity which coordinate donations.  Your money will go direct to the TMBU)

The date and venue for the big shave is 12th May, Orange Square Bar, The Broadway, Haywards Heath at  about 6.30pm. I am hoping some of Taylor’s favourite nurses will be there to cut the first tracks across my scalp!  I’d love to see you there.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. If you are a taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box when donating so that an extra 25%, plus a 3% supplement, can be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!