A reporter gave birth in a premature baby care unit she has spent the past 18 months campaigning to help refurbish.

In summer 2008 the Lynn News launched its Special Care Baby Appeal which is aiming to raise £150,000 for structural and facelift work and improve access to the baby unit at the town’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The centre treats seriously ill and premature babies and after just 11 months the appeal smashed through the £100,000 barrier.

Reporter Louise Brain went into labour six-and-a-half weeks early and, after giving birth to a boy weighing just 2lb 15oz, is being cared for in the very hospital unit she has been feverishly campaigning to improve.

She told the News: “Despite having worked on the Special Care Baby Appeal for the past 18 months and heard countless stories of families who needed the unit, I never dreamt that we would.

“We are now experiencing first hand the incredible, professional skill of the staff.

“We’re benefiting daily from their immeasurable practical and emotional support and that of the entire team on Castle Acre maternity ward, and watching as all the families around us experience the same.

“We have a long way to go yet and many hurdles ahead but our tiny son is doing very well and the team at QEH is giving us every reason to hope we will make it.

“If our appeal succeeds, as it aims to, in allowing more families to benefit from the care of the QEH maternity and special care team, I can say without a doubt they will all be as indescribably grateful as we are.”

The appeal total now stands at £131,000 and on 23 October the Lynn News is holding a special fundraising day, calling on local schools and businesses to hold their own fundraisers.

Comments

Wendi (13/10/2009 12:45:13)
Lovely story, hope baby goes from strength to strength