The 31st May 2014 is a date which changed my life, my Wife’s life and our families life forever. It marked the arrival of my two beautiful boys Jack and Spencer, it was just a lot sooner than any of us had expected . Born at 25 weeks they were extremely premature and unfortunately very poorly which meant they were whisked away to the neonatal unit immediately ,so no cuddles. Feeling completely vulnerable and at the mercy of the medical profession I certainly wasn’t expecting the situation that was described to me by a Doctor who in the midst of my panic found a moment to sit me down and tell me that the hospital did not have the ability to care for my children and that no hospital could be found that could, left to digest this news I became truly terrified at what this meant. It was hours later when we found out that the boys could find care in Liverpool. Jack and Spencer would have to make the 90 Mile journey if they were to stand a chance, if they survived the trip of course. With hardly any sleep, under a great deal of stress we  made the journey, driving ourselves up . Five nights passed, five anxious,panic filled nights, as both boys health deteriorated before finally Jacks courageous fight came to an end as he passed away in our arms, our first cuddle, just not under the circumstances we had imagined. Spencer who had fallen very ill the same day as his brother fought on but his own courageous battle ended the very next day in our arms as we said our final goodbye.

I still remember the kindness of the nurses who even under the extreme pressure of their job found time to give you the attention so desperately needed. When Spencer in particular became poorly I have never witnessed team work like it,each confident in what they had to do and how to communicate it, with a little life in their hands. The neonatal nurse who came to our room the other side of the hospital to offer her condolences and then broke down outside who I wanted to console but didn’t know how. I lost my boys but that hasn’t altered my admiration for the nurses or their work,they are phenomenal human beings doing heroic work. 

Two years ago I ran an ultra marathon for Liverpool Women’s to thank them for all they had done however I always wanted to help raise funds for the West Midlands who from what I witnessed needed more support so on the 26th May 2018, the boys 4th birthday week, I and some amazing friends,Ange, Dave Sadie, Pidge, Craig and Josh shall be running from Liverpool Women’s to Birmingham Women’s  in order to raise funds for Birmingham to help their neonatal unit.

Please give what you can to support this work and maybe a family doesn’t have to travel so very far to find the care they need, away from loved ones. Donate and maybe the incredible job that these people do becomes that bit easier, maybe it will change a life and parents will be able to walk out of the hospital, the panic gone their new born ready to finally see home. I wish I could explain fully how it feels not to have this moment, not to be able to bring them home.You could make a difference, please donate.

Thanks for your support

Love

Chris and Vicki

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