On the 14th March 2018, I was born via emergency c section - 13 weeks premature weighing a tiny 1.2 pound!  With a small % chance of survival my fight for life began. 

Within hours i was transferred by ambulance to a London hospital where they could care for my needs.  They told my mum and dad i had a big heart - it was full of love for them already!

Nothing could prepare us for just how much of a fight it was going to be:  3x Hospitals, 5x Ambulance rides, 18x Blood/Platelet transfusions, 14x rounds of antibiotics, collapsed right lung,  left lung haemorrhage, Brain Flare, MRSA, Cardiac Arrest, Staphylococcus Infection, Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection), Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC), double hernia surgery, feed intolerance for 110 days, lumbar puncture for suspected meningitis, Stage 2 ROP (eyes), Chronic Lung Disease - On and off ventilation throughout, 100's of needles, many infections, tears and worry.

I was nicknamed 'the hulk' by my nurses, i wasn't giving up without a superhero fight.  We had good days followed by very bad days, but everyday my mum and dad would hold on to hope that one day they would be able to take me home with them. 

After 140 days in intensive care and NICU, I was finally discharged HOME!  It was nothing short of a miracle. My health has continued to go from strength to strength, with very few re-admissions.  I'm constantly surprising everyone with my determination to reach my milestones and overall the happiest of babies living life to the fullest. 

Globally, more than 1 in 10 pregnancies end in premature birth – around 15 million babies every year.  Tommy's research is vital so that they can understand which women are likely to go into labour/c section early, and help them carry their baby for as long as possible. 

Despite my difficult start - my family feel extremely grateful that i survived and i’m thriving.  Allot of babies are not so lucky.  

It's important to me, my family and Easy Avenues to help prevent other babies and families going through the same ordeal.  Tommy's are the largest charity funding research into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.  The target is to halve the number of babies that die during pregnancy or birth by 2030 and we are determined to help them achieve this. 

A huge thank you to anyone that supports us in donating - we appreciate every single one. 

You can follow my Journey on Instagram @imjustalfie