When Nathan was born he was rushed to St Michaels hospital in Bristol where the 3 of us then stayed for the first 9 and a half weeks of his life.

Nathan has bilateral vocal cord palsy which means his vocal cords do not open to allow to him to breathe and completely shut to allow a safe swallow. The cause for this is unknown.

Due to this, he requires a Trachesotomy and Feeding tube. 50% of children grow out of this by the time they are 4 years old so it is all a waiting game at the moment. 

We will forever be thankful to everyone at Gloucester Royal Hospital for reacting so well in his first few hours, the NEST team for safely transporting him to St Michael's Hospital and all of the staff at St Michael's NICU who were just simply incredible not only to Nathan but also to ourselves as new parents. They lifted us up on difficult days and kept us going.

Cots for Tots House is a dedicated 12 bedroom house providing free 'home from home' accommodation to parents, brothers and sisters of babies in the Special Care Baby Unit. It is charity funded and provides amazing support to families going through truly difficult times.

Although Bristol is not far, being able to stay just over the road from our new born baby was such a reassuring and comforting gift at a very difficult time. Families we met there lived over 3 hours away and many spend long periods of time there.

Staying at Cots for Tots allowed us to concentrate all our energy on Nathan whilst he was under the care of NICU, and thanks to them he is the fit and healthy little boy he is today. If you have met him I am sure you have been treated to his signature smile and he certainly doesn't let the tubes stop him living life to the full.

Our challenge:

Throughout pregnancy Laura did not let up on walking up Cleeve Hill every weekend, even on her due date. A few hours after Nathan was born he was rushed in an ambulance to St Michael's, which is 40 miles from Gloucester Royal Hospital and we stayed there for 9 and a half weeks. Therefore, our challenge to raise money for Cots for Tots is 40 miles worth of walks from our front door to the top of Cleeve Hill over 9 and a half days. We are starting on Saturday 11th of September so if you are free and fancy joining the 3 of us on one of our walks, please let us know, everyone is welcome!!

More information about Cots for Tots Appeal (Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation): Cots for Tots is the special care baby charity for sick and premature babies at Bristol's Special Care Baby Unit at St Michael's Hospital.