Our son Arlo was born 11 weeks early in September of 2020. Because he was incredibly vulnerable, York hospital were not able to accommodate his needs which meant a transfer to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Craig and I spent almost 5 weeks in hospital accommodation there in order to be close to our son, despite the fact that visitation was limited to two hours per day due to Covid.

Seeing your child go through such a traumatic start in life is something no parent should witness, but it was in part made more bearable thanks to the amazing support of Leo's Neonatal Charity. 

Lottie, the CEO and founder of Leo's became my own personal peer support worker and without her support, compassion and advice, I would have been in a very different place today. The work of Leo's is invaluable to parents of premature and sick babies, and I personally accessed much of their support both during and after Arlo's stay at James Cook.

From the VCreate video and image service that helped Craig and I feel close to Arlo even when we couldn't physically be with him, to the neonatal occupational health sessions provided to us completely free of charge- Leo's charity goes above and beyond for both parents and children during the most challenging time of their lives.

Arlo is now home and well, but the work of Leo's doesn't stop once the baby is discharged home. With your donation, Leo's is able to offer bespoke classes for preemies and their parents that nurture crucial physical and neurological development of each baby once they are out of hospital. From baby sensory to messy play, these classes are also a lifeline for parents who feel the need to connect and share their experiences with others who have gone through similar trauma.

So- in honour of the fact that Arlo spent a grand total of 68 days in neonatal care-from York SCBU, Hull NICU and of course, James Cook Neonatal Unit, I will be walking a minimum of 68 kilometres with baby in tow, before this final (please God) lockdown is over.

For more information on Leo's, please see below. I really hope you feel able to to support this charity that  is now incredibly close to my heart <3

A poem for Arlo.

Beautiful boy, 

When you were born, 
I couldn't be your mother. 

Instead of my arms you were swaddled in plastic and placed in a box. 

Bathed in blue light, writhing in your tank, you seemed like the most alien creature I had ever seen.

In the cold, hard nighttime I walked back to my room. Alone. 

Slowly and quietly I worked on my body.
With each painful hour I laboured on. 
Please God, let there be milk. 

Tell me, what else could I do to alleviate the guilt? 

Silently stalking the corridors, I'd linger with my precious syringe outside of your room. 

That animal instinct to protect wrenched me from my somber thoughts all night,

but your terrifying tiny form sent me spinning each time I arrived.

Could someone, 
anyone 
tell me: 

Oh god, 
Would I ever feel normal again?

Leo's is a charity which supports the mental health, physical health and social well-being of families who have had a sick or premature baby in the North East of England. Our work spans across five neonatal units and in the community.We are a parent-led charity with extensive first-hand knowledge and experience of neonatal care, neonatal bereavement and paediatric care. Our board of trustees combines neonatal parents with NHS professionals and lay members to ensure we offer well-rounded provisions for families.Due to COVID-19 our families are increasingly isolated and the mental health of our parents / carers and siblings is hitting crisis point, the neonatal children we care for are struggling with their development, our families are in need now more than ever.A centre where families can access counselling, peer support, yoga, sign language, sensory sessions, educational sessions and a place to drop in, has never been more needed. Please help us.