Every year, over 90,000 babies are admitted to neonatal care in the UK because they have either been born prematurely, or at full term but are sick.
The average length of a stay in the Neonatal Unit is eight days, but for very premature babies its often 2-3 months plus.
Undoubtedly this is a very difficult time for the parents and the hospital staff alike.

When Thomas was born, he inhaled and ingested meconium resulting in him needing Neonatal Care straight after birth. He had very high infection markers, requiring constant surveillance, monitoring and feeding via a tube. He also required multiple tests including a lumbar puncture to test for meningitis at only 1 day old. In total he was in the hospital for 6 days.

Whilst Thomas was staying in the Neonatal Unit, he was in a room with 6 very premature babies, some who had been there for 3 months. Although Thomas was poorly he was born at full term, was a good weight and generally was on the mend. Some of the other babies there were very sick, to the point where the parents didn't know if they were going to pull through.

It's unimaginable what this must be like for the parents and families of those babies. But the staff at the Neonatal Unit can only be described as miracle workers. The time and attention they dedicate to those babies is astounding and all with a positive attitude and warm heart.

Whilst night feeding Thomas one evening, I was the only person in the unit apart from 3 nurses. They were tending to a couple of babies and whilst doing so, were comforting, cuddling and generally loving them as if they were their own. It was so reassuring to watch, to know that they really truly care for these babies.

There are no amount of words to describe how thankful I am to the doctors and nurses that work at the Neonatal Unit at Broomfield. I am therefore trying to raise money, to help continue the amazing work they do everyday.