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On 11th March 2013 Andrea and I had our world turned upside down. Andrea was 24 weeks pregnant, expecting twin boys and we attended the maternity department at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, for a routine check up. The day turned out to be anything but routine. Andrea was in labour and on in the morning on Tuesday 12th March Euan was born, shortly followed by his brother Rory, both weighing 1lb 6oz each. 

Euan and Rory were immediately taken into the 'Red Area' (Neonatal Intensive Care) in the Special Care Baby Unit at the RVI. The first few weeks did not go smoothly. Both Euan and Rory had opperations at the Freeman hospital, Andrea and I were regulars in what we called 'the bad news room', but we did our best to stay strong for our two beautiful little boys. 

Then things took a turn for the worse. Rory had a number of problems over his first few weeks of life, and in the early hours of Thursday 11th April, he died. We were devistated. Nothing will replace Rory. We still love him and always will, but knowing he had the best possible care available in his short time with us gives us some comfort.

Since then Euan has become stronger. He got himself off the ventilator and is now in the 'Blue Area' preparing to come home. With any luck he will be giving us sleepless nights by his due date of 30th June. 

Tiny Lives is the dedicated charity of the SCBU at the RVI.

It provides the SCBU with the some of the tools training and staff they need to provide the immense level of care that the NHS alone can't afford. 

From the Tiny Lives website:

The fund aims to provide the highest quality of care on an ongoing basis and  needs to raise at least £150,000 every year to support a range of facilities, staff, and equipment:

 

• developmental care aids  and equipment, for example baby nests, gel pillows, sleep shades, and noise level monitors that offer the highest quality of care
• a package of support for every family so parents can chart their baby’s progress, including a memory box, journal, and stickers to record those early critical days, weeks, and sometimes months
• a family room and accommodation as families often have to stay close to their baby
• travel costs – financial support for low income families who may have to travel for many months from across the region
• a Neonatal Physiotherapist to aid early development, support families, and train nursing staff
• specialist training so nursing staff have access to the latest developments in neonatal care
• a dedicated Social Worker who provides social, emotional, and practical support for parents
• research grants that enable the unit to lead on neonatal developments and offer the highest quality of care

Fund raising through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.