Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My nephew Charlie Wescott was born at 35 weeks on the 16th July 2011 at Musgrove Park hospital weighing 6lb 4oz. From the moment that Charlie was born it was apparent that he was really unwell. The Newborn-Emergency-Stabilisation and Transport Team (NEST) was sent to transfer Charlie from Musgrove to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St.Michaels Hospital in Bristol.

Within 12 hours of Charlie's life he had major stomach surgery which he came through fighting. The cause of his illness was unknown and following a long hard week of tests and blood transfusions he was showing signs of progress. Tragically he had a global cerebral hemorrhage and following an MRI scan it showed extensive brain damage, and that there was no longer anything more that could be done to sustain Charlie's life.

Charlie was with us for seven days, showing such fight and determination with the support of the NICU. Charlie was fortunate to have had access to the state of the art medical technology provided at St.Michaels hospital as there is such a shortage of specialist cots and equipment needed for life-saving care. Charlie was in the best place to be given the best chance of surviving his illness.

The Cots for Tots Appeal needs to raise £1 million to support the expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by providing a Suite of 4 intensive care cots and associated state of the art equipment.

My sister was able to stay close to Charlie in on site accommodation. At the time the facilities were very basic and limited but Cots for Tots are also raising money to build new on site family accommodation.

In Charlie's memory, a close friend of mine, Craig Tuck and myself will be cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End starting on the 14th July 2012 covering in excess of 900 miles over a 9 day period to commemorate the anniversary of Charlie's life. 100% of the money raised will be going to Cots for Tots.