**Sunday 23rd June - The Cheshire 3 Peaks**

Arlo’s Story

Arlo Neil Barker was born just a few minutes before six in the evening, on Wednesday 29th November 2023 in Macclesfield District General Hospital, He weighed a little over four kilograms (just 20g more than his big sister Lola) or eight pounds fifteen ounces for those of you who are more conversant with pounds and ounces! 

He was the much wanted and much loved son of Genevieve and Francis, little brother of Lola and Grandson of Helen and Chris and Penny and Neil, the grandad he was named after.

Shortly after his arrival, Arlo was admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit at Macclesfield Hospital, before being transferred to Liverpool Women’s Hospital for treatment. Arlo spent most of December in the neonatal intensive Care Unit in Liverpool, where the family had Christmas together. At the end of December, Arlo was transferred closer to home to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where his care continued. Arlo’s final journey was to Francis House children’s hospice in Didsbury where he and the family were lovingly cared for in his last hours.

These are the dates and the facts about Arlo, but his life was so much richer. He knew what it was to be unconditionally loved and adored by his family on their many visits to him in both Liverpool and Manchester. His big sister Lola by his side, caring for him and watching The Lion King in his bed!

Arlo spent his days listening to music and watching the light show on the ceiling of his hospital room, being read to by Mummy and Daddy, grabbing their fingers and being serenaded to sleep by his Mummy.

Arlo enjoyed the sensations of having a proper bath and feeling the water on his skin, followed by a massage with baby lotion. He enjoyed sucking his dummy and knew the taste of Gen's breast milk. Arlo felt the closeness of skin-to-skin time with his Daddy and Mummy and learnt of all the places he has been whilst Gen was pregnant with him - Switzerland, Ross On Wye, Home and Tegg’s Nose country park. He also knows that he will travel on with his family in their hearts wherever they go.

Arlo passed peacefully, free of masks and monitors, in his Mummy and Daddy’s arms on 26 January 2024, at Francis house, after being held all day by loved ones, totally surrounded by love. He only ever knew love. 

Arlo was a fighter, he was so strong, he learned so much in two months, he learned how to breathe and how to feed, how to move his arms, legs and head, he knew he was loved. He was a big boy to begin with and he grew so much. 

Arlo had a family who were devoted to him and he was surrounded by doting aunties, uncles and cousins. Auntie Nic and Uncle Matt and baby Spencer, Auntie Jessie and James, Uncle Benjamin and Auntie Sarah and cousins Tabitha, Andrew, Naomi, U