Before Molly was born, like most expectant parents, our conversations revolved around the birth. What should we pack in the hospital bag? Should we aim for a natural birth or keep an open mind? How would we get to the hospital? And of course, don't forget the car seat, because that's how you're supposed to bring your baby home!

What nobody really prepares you for is what happens if your baby is born sick

When people ask, "Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?", the answer is so often, "We don't mind, as long as they're healthy!" We said the same ourselves. We never imagined we'd be welcoming Molly into the world only to watch her be taken straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Every year, around 100,000 babies in the UK receive neonatal care, and around 60% of them are born full term. Molly was one of them.

One of the hardest moments came just a few hours after meeting our daughter, when we had to leave the hospital without her. Parents aren't allowed to stay overnight in NICU, so we drove home with an empty car seat to what felt like an even emptier house, miles away from our newborn. It felt like we’d abandoned her.

The following day, everything changed. The Sick Children's Trust offered us a room just a two-minute walk from the hospital, giving us somewhere to stay close to Molly while she received the care she needed. It meant we could be with her from first thing in the morning until late into the evening, without spending hours travelling back and forth.

Over the following months, Molly was admitted to hospital twice more for separate surgeries. Thankfully, while she recovered on the paediatric ward, one parent was able to stay overnight. As Molly was exclusively breastfed, that naturally meant Sarah stayed with her, but once again The Sick Children's Trust was there for us.

Knowing that Dave was just around the corner, able to be the first to arrive each morning and the last to leave each evening without facing a two-hour round trip home, made an enormous difference. For Sarah, having somewhere nearby to shower, rest and regroup after long days and sleepless nights on the ward provided a much-needed respite. At a time when everything felt beyond our control, The Sick Children's Trust gave us one less thing to worry about.

Today, just over a year later, Molly is thriving. She's the happiest, strongest and sassiest little girl we know, and we will never stop being grateful to the incredible doctors, nurses, our family and friends, and The Sick Children's Trust for helping us through the hardest time of our lives.

Now we'd love to give something back.

We're aiming to raise at least £2,000 for The Sick Children's Trust. The charity relies entirely on donations, and every contribution will help another family stay close to their sick child when they need it most.

How you can support

We're organising a pub quiz and raffle bringing together friends, family and our wider community for a fun night of quizzing, drinks and fundraising for The Sick Children's Trust, a charity that is incredibly special to our family.

Where: Walthamstow Trades Hall, E17

When: 7th November, 2026

Time: Doors open at 2:00pm, Quiz at 3:00pm

We ask everyone attending the quiz to make a suggested donation of £10 per person. If you are able to give more than £10, we'd be incredibly grateful. Every donation will help us reach our fundraising goal and support The Sick Children's Trust.

How to donate:

Donate online:

Make a donation of £10 or more through this JustGiving page. Please then RSVP using this form so we know you're coming.

Donate in cash:

If you'd prefer to donate in cash, you can bring your £10 donation with you and donate when you arrive at the quiz.

Can't make it to the quiz?

If you're a friend or family member who can't join us in person — whether you're nearby or on the other side of the world — you can make a donation through this page. You don't need to attend the quiz to support our fundraising, and donations of any amount are very welcome.

Thank you so much for supporting us and helping us raise money for a charity that means so much to our family. We can't wait to see you at the quiz!

With love and thanks,

Dave, Sarah, and Molly