this This is the story of my cousin (Jodie Nicholson) and her babies, Willow and Reggie.

Jodie had a lovely pregnancy and everything was going well until 8th December when complications started.

Willow and Reggie were born on 9th December 2019 at only 25 and a half weeks. Willow was born at 0928 and weighed 520 grams, Reggie was born at 0929 and weighed 820 grams by C-Section. They were both in Ashford William Harvey Hospital in intensive care.

Willow had to have many blood transfusions, two within half an hour of being born and then once a week.

At four days old Willow suffered from two broken arms and had to have splints specially made as the hospital ones did not fit. She was put on morphine for two weeks so her arms could heal and to take away the pain.

At five days old she had to be resuscitated.

On 26th December she had some blood tests and the blood gases were very low.

On 27th December at 9 am Jodie received a call from the hospital asking her to come straightaway. As she lives an hour away from the hospital this was a very long journey. When she arrived she was taken to see the doctor who explained that Willow had to be resuscitated again but she had come round for a few seconds but her body could not take any more. They tried to save her for half an hour. Sadly she did not make it. One the of the nurses held her and sang Silent Night and Willow passed peacefully in her arms.

The doctors and nurses said they had never met such a feisty girl considering how small she was, she would pinch and kick them.

Jodie managed to get to see her and held her for the first time and then she was taken down to the Chapel of Rest. Willow was at the Chapel of Rest until to went Great Ormond Street Hospital for the post-mortem four weeks later before going back to Ashford William Harvey Hospital.

Reggie stayed in hospital until Easter this year. He is still suffering with health issues but doing really well.

We need to raise this to be able to put a beautiful headstone on Willow's grave. Please could you help the "forever beautiful resting place" that Jodie and Reggie can go and visit.