As most of you are aware, our little girl came into the world earlier than expected and so poorly that we almost lost her more than once.  I have decided to forego Christmas presents this year and instead, ask for a donation to be made to the Southampton NICU.  The unit need another ambulance so they can treat more babies in a timely fashion.  When Betty was transferred we were lucky.  The ambulance was available and the team that came with it were incredibly skilled (read my blog for more on this at www.mummingmyway.co.uk).  But if that ambulance was not available, I'm not sure what would have happened.  I will spend the rest of my life being thankful to this unit and its wonderful staff.  If you would like to support this cause then please donate.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which provides specialist care to sick term and pre-term (premature) newborn babies.The state-of-the-art facility is located at the Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton. This has 37 baby cots, 23 intensive/high dependency cots and 14 special care cots.It is one of the largest neonatal units in the country treating around 900 babies each year, from Southampton, Poole & Bournemouth, Chichester, Dorchester, Basingstoke, the Isle of Wight, Salisbury, Winchester and the Channel Islands.Babies have survived as young as 23 weeks, with some of them only weighing 460g/1lb. Picture a baby smaller than the size of your hand. Imagine the skill needed to care for and treat something that size.