Dear Walter,

On 30th December 2020, you were born. We were very excited to finally meet you, especially your big brother Rupert. Although we were hoping you would arrive before Christmas, you stubbornly stayed put to enjoy the festive feasting. This was evident when you arrived a whopping 8lb 11oz. We instantly fell in love with you. Unfortunately, you were very poorly and were taken to intensive care. It was a surreal experience as we sat by your side while you were connected to machines, so many wires and lots of noise. As the days went by, we would read the success stories in the corridors of babies leaving and thriving, which would fill us with hope. Looking around the unit at mostly tiny premature babies in hot plastic boxes, naively we felt assured you would cruise on through to the next room, as you would require less support.

There was a nasty global virus, which meant that Mummy and Daddy could not sit together with you, so we would take it in turns to stare, read and fall deeper in love with you. We assumed that this was going to be one of those anecdotes, similar to the story your Nana tells about Mummy’s arm. On day seven you had a brain scan, we had been informed there would be some brain damage and we had already made plans to care for you. We were desperate to have you home. The results came back and our world caved in, you were not coming home.

On 8^th January, we removed those uncomfortable tubes, cuddled you without machines and spent a very short time as doting parents taking (not enough) photos. It was peaceful, and then you left this world.

After we left you, we walked to beach. How would we tell your brother? He was incredible and the reason to keep going and get up in the morning. It was lockdown, so the world was upside-down, but the love arrived on our doorstep. Although our family and friends were far away, the love poured though our letterbox. Everyone was so kind sending food, toys and flowers. There was so much love, this gave us hope and strength to get through the painful months that followed. 

We now had new shoes to fill, those of bereaved parents. A role nobody wants. Although devastated and broken, we wanted no other parents to experience this tragedy. We fought hard during investigations and a big inquest to improve maternity services. You even had your 5 minutes of fame on the television. There have been changes made at the hospital in your name, which will save babies lives. Walter’s legacy.

Good deeds are happening to honour you. Every year for your birthday, tiny hats are knitted for the babies in neonatal care, a gift from Walter. This year we have two large teams of family and friends running both the Brighton half and full marathons. The money raised will go to a special local charity close to our hearts - Oscar’s Wish. They provide comfort and support to Parents and siblings following the loss of a baby or babies before, during or shortly after birth. They supported us through the darkest period of our lives and we are eternally grateful. Now it is time for us to give back.

Send some sunshine on race day.

All our love

Mummy, Daddy, Rupert and Queenie

xxx

Runners - 

Team Half - Liam, Kim, Eve, Natalie, Lisa, John, Eddie, Lauren, Andy, & Eileen

Team Full - Barney, Eve, Ez, Michelle, Callum, Sam & Noel

Thank you for supporting this charity and raising awareness of baby loss.