The sudden collapse and death of our baby son Patrick Brendan Elliot Keogh in May 2007 devastated our family and shocked our friends.
Many were moved to donate or fundraise in his memory. Now, as we mark Patrick’s second birthday, his fund stands at more than £11,500 (including Gift Aid). Thank you.
We set up Patrick's Fund after talking to Dr Patrick Bose, the obstetrician who delivered our son at Chelsea andWestminsterHospital. He had been involved with the mother and baby charity, Baby Lifeline, and we were impressed with how it focused on training for midwives and clinicians, helping them update and improve their skills.
All the work that goes on behind the scenes is not as visually impressive as a huge shiny scanner or intensive care cot, but it's exactly these kind of initiatives that save babies' lives.
Money raised through Patrick's Fund goes towards a new Baby Lifeline training project. Some 400 midwives, obstetricians and neo-natal staff will get hands-on refresher sessions utilising the latest techniques and technologies available to deal with emergency and extreme situations, such as mothers collapsing during labour, monitoring the unborn baby's heart rate and delivering babies by caesarean or using other interventions. The skills learned during these sessions will help stop babies dying at or around the time of birth.
Doing something in Patrick's memory makes us feel less helpless and like we are making some kind of difference. We can't cuddle or kiss our son, but our support of Baby Lifeline has become a way of showing people just how much we love him.
Thank you to everyone who has helped remember our lad:
* All those who gave money instead of flowers in those first few weeks, remembered Patrick at Christmas and his birthday, or who have simply been moved to donate in his name.
* Patrick’s godparents and our families, who helped set up and continue to actively support the fund.
* Friends who asked for donations instead of gifts to celebrate Christenings and all those who have given in thanks for the safe arrival of their own children.
Special fundraising events have included a coffee morning, gourmet dinner evening, Punch and Judy shows, and sponsored runs including the London Marathon.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also an efficient way to give: Baby Lifeline Limited will receive your money electronically and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you (minus some Justgiving admin costs).
The full Gift Aid, without admin costs, can be obtained by those who donate directly to the charity and we can provide forms in those cases.
Many, many thanks for your support.
Frank and Kirsty
www.babylifeline.org.uk
