We are asking YOU to help us raise money for Bliss, the leading UK charity for babies born premature and sick, including the many who will be spending their first Christmas in hospital.
Bliss funds medical research and provides information to families via reading material and its volunteer Champions, who offer cot-side assistance, from emotional support to helping with practical issues.
Today, three dads tell us about their experiences of having premature babies and how Bliss helped them through the most difficult times.
‘Bedrooms on unit allow parents to stay close to tots’
ROSS Simmons, 28, a salesman, lives with wife Leanne, 27, a nurse, in Pontefract, West Yorks, with their toddler Alex. He was born at 24 weeks and six days, on November 11, 2016, weighing just 1lb 10oz. Ross says:
Show your support for Bliss by donating here
“When Alex was born his entire body could fit into my hand. He was rushed to intensive care before being transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary.
“We stayed in the parents’ room on the unit for the first night, but for the rest of Alex’s 86-day stay in Hull we travelled an hour there and back every day.
“Bliss sponsored a bedroom on the unit to allow parents to be close to their babies, which is essential because there are times when they are in an emergency situation and you need to be nearby.
“Alex came home the day after his due date, still on oxygen. He was born profoundly deaf but considering what he’s been through, he is doing fantastically.”
How to help
DONATE ONLINE: Go to thesun.co.uk/light-up-christmas.
DONATE BY TEXT: Sending BLISS followed by the amount (e.g. BLISS £10) to 70085. You can choose to donate £1, £3, £5, £10, £15 or £20. You will be charged the standard network rate when texting your keyword.
DONATE BY PHONE: Call 020 7378 5740.
DONATE BY POST: Please make cheques payable to “Bliss – National Charity for the Newborn” to Freepost RTZJ-GZYE-RCUA, The Sun Appeal, Bliss, Fourth Floor, Maya House, 134-138 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB.
‘Men think we should be macho but I only got through my darkest days by opening up about feelings’
JOURNALIST Tony Grigorjevs, 32, suffered a breakdown through the stress of having premature twins Isabelle and Jack. He lives in Lichfield, Staffs, with partner Nikki Buckley, 32, a nursery worker, who gave birth at 28 weeks on December 12, 2015. Tony says:
Show your support for Bliss by donating here
“As a dad, it was my job to be strong for my family. I thought I was coping but one night I broke down wailing and crying, and I realised I wasn’t.
“Fear is the main emotion I felt when Nikki’s waters broke at 22 weeks. Miraculously, our babies stayed put for another six weeks, but when they were delivered, that fear became overwhelming. Jack, who weighed 3lb, was doing OK on a ventilator, but Isabelle, at 2lb 7oz, was critically ill. I felt powerless.
“The work Bliss does is second to none and the expertise of their staff and volunteers makes a rough journey for parents that little bit smoother.
“If they have someone they can turn to, it benefits everyone. The parents’ mental well-being is more secure, enabling them to ask more appropriate questions and get involved in the care of their baby more efficiently.
“As men, we think we should be macho, but we only got through our darkest days by opening up.”
‘We would have benefited from Bliss Champion’
FRANCESCA weighed 2lbs 1oz when she was born at 27 weeks on November 28, 2017. She lives with her parents Gareth Day, 35, a software developer, and Claire Frost, 36, a music teacher, in Luton. Gareth said:
Show your support for Bliss by donating here
“Claire was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, which can cause organ failure, and was taken into theatre for a caesarean.
“The staff were absolutely amazing. Francesca was put into a plastic bag in an incubator and on oxygen. We were able to see her but we couldn’t touch her as her skin was so delicate.
“We didn’t have a Bliss Champion at our neonatal unit, and Claire wants to change that. She has applied to volunteer there. To have that sort of emotional support would have really benefited us.
“Francesca came home on February 13, this year, nine days before her due date. It was a brilliant moment.”
Newborn baby appeal
TO DONATE: thesun.co.uk/light-up-christmas
OR CALL: 020 7378 5740
How to help
DONATE ONLINE: Go to thesun.co.uk/light-up-christmas.
DONATE BY TEXT: Sending BLISS followed by the amount (e.g. BLISS £10) to 70085. You can choose to donate £1, £3, £5, £10, £15 or £20. You will be charged the standard network rate when texting your keyword.
DONATE BY PHONE: Call 020 7378 5740.
DONATE BY POST: Please make cheques payable to “Bliss – National Charity for the Newborn” to Freepost RTZJ-GZYE-RCUA, The Sun Appeal, Bliss, Fourth Floor, Maya House, 134-138 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB.
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