I'm raising money for The Grand Appeal to help transform the lives of sick children and their families at St. Michael's hospital in Bristol.

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My name is Sian Evans. Back in 2011, I was excited to be pregnant with twins. During my pregnancy, I had appendicitis which was misdiagnosed. My appendix ruptured and caused peritonitis. After a life saving operation, on the 12th August, I went into labour at 22+4 and gave birth to a boy and a girl (Lola and Lukas). Sadly, Lukas was born showing no signs of strength and passed away immediately after birth. Lola was ventilated and taken straight into the SCBU at Swindon's Great Western Hosptial. A few hours later, we were informed that St. Michael's Hospital in Bristol had a bed available for her in the NICU and she was rushed there in an ambulance. 

My husband Craig, went to be with Lola and stayed in a room just up the corridor from the NICU. I was too poorly to visit my daughter but was receiving updates by phone and even receiving pictures of our daughter. At 2 days old, GWH decided it would be good for me to visit and blue lighted me to Bristol. During my visit, it was obvious that I wasn't fit and well enough to go back and they found me a bed on a ward in the Bristol Royal Infirmary. 

On 16th August at 4 days old, we made the heart wrenching decision to end Lola's life support. She was just too poorly and too small. On top of being born so prematurely, she had likely been affected by the infection in my body. Lola sadly passed away that afternoon as soon as life support was withdrawn.

I cannot express the dedication of the staff at the unit. Always, explaining what was happening, constantly attending to all of the babies in the unit and giving their all. I would love to raise as much money as possible to help the unit continue to look after and save all of the babies in their care. Like Lola, not all of them can be saved, but with extra funds, they will get a bigger chance.

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My name is Jodi Daykin. Having been friends since 17 and through all our big milestones together, when Sian and Craig told us they were expecting twins not long after our son was born, we couldn't have been more excited for them.

When Sian got ill, after weeks of hoping that the worst wouldn't happen, we received the call from Craig to say that the twins had been born but that Lukas had not survived. Over the next few days we went to visit Sian, who was still extremely poorly, and say goodbye to Lukas at GWH, while constantly hoping that Lola was strong enough to pull through.

At 3 days old I had a message from Sian to say that Lola was very poorly, and if we would like to see her it would be best to come to St Michael's NICU, where she had been moved, straight away.

That evening we were able to go and meet Lola. We could tell straight away she was being so well cared for, and after everything that Sian and Craig had been through, we were massively relieved to know that they were being looked after too. Seeing that Craig was given a room a short walk from the NICU, and how much pressure that took off by giving him a base to stay close to Sian and Lola made a huge difference.

I would love to raise as much as possible to help the unit continue to be able to provide the amazing care they do, not only looking after the extremely poorly babies but also providing parents in this heartbreaking situation the support they need.

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On Sunday 20th September 2020 we will be taking part in a wing walk organised by The Grand Appeal, to raise funds for Cots for Tots (the charity for St Michael's NICU). 

Sian is a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but this is a huge undertaking even taking that into consideration. Despite spending a large amount of time inside planes, this will be her first time on the outside!

Anyone that also knows Jodi well will be aware of how much she hates flying. Getting on a plane of any description is usually an ordeal that is avoided unless completely necessary, so standing on top of one while flying is going to be a massive challenge.

We would appreciate any donation no matter how big or small. Thank you for taking the time to read this and please share xx