Little hero Grace Williamson, born weighing just 3lb in 2014
Nurses at Blackpool’s neonatal ward are pulling out all the stops to celebrate their little heroes.
As part of World Prematurity Day, staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital are putting on a party to honour the babies who have been cared for on the Neonatal Unit in the last 10 years.
Neonatal Lead Nurse, Catherine Nash, said: “We want to recognise what these children have achieved.”
“We are celebrating how far they have come in life. For them a big journey started with small and uncertain steps.
“These babies have achieved so much, they are our little heroes. We also wanted to have the opportunity to thank the parents and families for their ongoing support.”
Grace now, a healthy, happy four-year old
The party will be held at Blackpool Football Club on World Prematurity Day, November 17, and nearly 150 babies and children have already booked their places.
Worldwide more than one in ten babies are born premature and for babies it can mean the biggest fight of their lives starts the moment they are born. Every year Blackpool Neonatal Unit cares for over 200 premature babies, with smallest ever weighing a tiny 15oz. Some of the babies are born as much as 16 weeks early and for these babies in particular it is a long and difficult journey for the whole family before their baby is finally ready to be discharged home.
Having a premature baby can be a massive emotional strain for families and the party will be an opportunity for parents to share their mutual experiences and swap advice and concerns while celebrating their achievements with people who have been in the same situation.
“The event is also very important to staff,” Catherine added. “It can seal the bond between us and the families. It is so wonderful to see the babies growing into health children.”
The Unit will also be raising funds during the week and a raffle and cake sale will be held on the Mezzanine Floor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Friday, November 16 from 10.00 to 2.00pm.
All money raised helps towards giving first class care to babies and families on the Neonatal Unit by providing such equipment as privacy screens, blackout blinds, admission bags and sibling packs as well as interactive iPads which can allow mums to see their new-born babies even if they cannot be with them.
Donations can also be made on the Unit’s Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/catherine-nash6?utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_content=Catherine-Nash6&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Facebook&utm_term=5JZ42awPX&fbclid=IwAR34uWoxQs504dhFlK3SOC3NlbRcs51WHluRTRZkGz9y7pkGVFb66GTcaas