Our lovely baby boy is cared for by the Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic at the Evalina Children's hospital, who are part of the wider Renal and Urology team. We got to know this team after Arno was born last year, we were and continue to be so very grateful for everything they have done for Arno and for us. Now that its Arno's 1st birthday and my 30th instead of presents to either of us we hope to raise a little bit of money to say thank you, we hope the money will go to setting up a feeding/ family room on the ward to give new families a safe space to be together, offering support for breastfeeding as required.

After a week spent in Croydon's Special Care Unit and then the NICU in St Georges he was transferred by the neonatal ambulance service to the Evalina Children's hospital. He was diagnosed with posterior urethral valves, valves which had blocked his bladder in utero causing urine to build up and back up in to his kidneys, distending his ureteas and damaging both kidneys. This means Arno has irreversible kidney damage and has the lifelong condition of Chronic Kidney Disease, in addition his bladder will also need continuous monitoring. There is no cure and although Arno's health is currently managed by nutrition and medication, he will need dialysis and several kidney transplants throughout his life. The first transplant we hope will be from either Kev or myself. Arno's care is intecrately managed by the team at the Evalina to whom we owe everything.

I cant describe how tough things have felt for our little family. Arno was born early, he wasn't breathing and his tiny grey body needed help to start breathing. From there everything speed up and slowed down at the same time, which is the rollercoaster we continue to ride. Its been so hard to comprehend this situation. I'm so grateful to the amazing team we see weekly, who care for Arno fully, the team who love our little boy and make him and us feel worthwhile. I can can cry with them, celebrate his achievements with them and mostly I know that they will always be there for him giving him the best start to life.

Thank you for your support. Lucy, Kev and Arno x