* * * * UPDATE 12DEC10 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * *

We just wanted to say a massive thank you to Annie and Mark for their generosity in fundraising for the unit as a part of their wedding celebrations. We have found it very touching that people have not forgotten Sam, and are prepared to support the work done at the Trevor Mann Unit in this way. Thanks, Merlin, Alice and Barney.

* * * * * UPDATE 03JUN10 ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

We completed the ride in 3 days, and quite honestly I don't want to see my bike again for a while! I'm sure that the whole journey was uphill, and choosing the 3 hottest days of the year so far meant that we all got sunstroke on day two. That, combined with the 19 punctures made parts of the ride quite an ordeal, but it was never meant to be easy...... and I should stop complaining. The total passed £2000 during the ride which was a great motivator for us. This page will remain open for the forseeable future, so please keep the donations coming in. Thank you very much to everyone who has donated, raising this money for the Trevor Mann Unit has meant a great deal to Alice and myself and we've really appreciated every penny.

Merlin.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

Our son Sam was born on the 26th January last year. He arrived 12 weeks early, weighing just under 3lbs. He hung on for 5 weeks in the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, but the combination of his prematurity, a difficult birth and a rare infection (Group B Strep) was too much for him. Sam died in our arms on the 28th February.

The standard of care given by all the staff on the unit not just to Sam, but to Alice and I as well was incredible. The sensitivity with which they handled every detail of Sam's life is one of the things which has enabled us to get through the past year.

In recognition of the hospital's outstanding work, myself and 3 mates are hoping to raise some funds for the unit by cycling the entire South Downs Way. This will be 100 off road miles from Winchester to Eastbourne, and involves climbing 11,660 feet of hills, which is 3 times the height of Mount Snowden. We will be doing the ride over 3 days, starting on Tuesday the 18th of May in Winchester. My good friends Andy Harris, Ben Johnson and Anton Collins have very generously given up their time to accompany me on the ride.

Please give generously, as the work done at this unit is not only saving lives every day, but is also helping parents to cope when lives cannot be saved.

Thank you,

Merlin and Alice.

 

 

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 - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.