Couple raise £10k in tribute to baby son after death

Couple raise £10k in tribute to baby son after death

26 June 2019

A DOWNPATRICK couple whose baby son was just a few days old when he died, have raised almost £10,000 for a premature baby charity recently. 

Claire and Lee Thomas have handed over £9,967.26 in memory of their son, Teddy, who was born prematurely and died 15 days later.

The couple presented the money to Tiny Life, Northern Ireland’s only premature and sick baby charity, which is based in Carryduff.

The couple say it took them over seven months to raise the money and are thrilled with their achievement. 

Claire said: “Our son Teddy arrived 12 weeks early and after 15 days spent in the Royal Victoria Hospital, he sadly lost his battle for life. 

“We decided to gather our church, family, friends and work colleagues to help with a few events over the past seven months to raise money for TinyLife. 

“We are thrilled with the final total and hope this will go some way to help families who also met their bundle of joy earlier than expected.”

She added: “Thank you to everyone who donated to such a worthy cause in memory of Teddy.”

A spokesperson for Tiny Life said: “On average, there are six babies born prematurely every day in Northern Ireland. At this understandably very stressful time for parents, TinyLife is there to provide practical advice, emotional support and to give a helping hand to families who have a baby in a neonatal intensive care unit.

“With our network of Family Support professionals in every neonatal unit across Northern Ireland, we ensure parents receive optimum support in hospital, at home and within the community.”

Premature babies can be born as early as 24 weeks and still survive. Currently, the smallest surviving baby born in Ireland was just 14 ounces.

For further information on TinyLife please visit tinylife.org.uk or find Tinylife on Facebook and Twitter.