• Keeley and Ben King are raising thousands of pounds to support Royal Bolton’s Neonatal Unit
• Their daughter, Millie, received care on the unit in 2004 after being born at 24 weeks and 4 days
• Fundraiser for Our Bolton NHS Charity will help mark Millie’s 21^st birthday

A mum and dad, whose daughter received life-saving care in Royal Bolton’s Neonatal Unit 21 years ago, are aiming to raise thousands of pounds for Our Bolton NHS Charity to help other families.

Keeley and Ben King’s daughter, Millie, was born on 29 August 2004 at just 24 weeks and 4 days, weighing only 1lb 7oz.

Millie was given a 30% chance of survival and spent 107 nights in hospital, fighting for her life and receiving vital care and support from the dedicated nurses and doctors in the Neonatal Unit.

To celebrate Millie’s 21^st birthday and show their thanks to the hospital, Keeley and her family are aiming to raise thousands of pounds for the hospital’s Neonatal Unit to help fund resources that will help other families in the future.

Keeley said:

During Millie’s time in the neonatal unit, she was cared for round the clock by staff who looked after her as if she were their own. They not only provided her with the medical care she needed, they cuddled her, soothed her, made sure she was as comfortable as possible. They got to know her, what she liked and disliked.

“They also got to know us and comforted us, reassured us, taught us how to do things, so that we could look after her. The hospital became home from home for us all, and we built relationships with the staff there, who were effectively parents to Millie during that time. It’s extremely hard to leave your child in a hospital, but when you know they are being so well looked after, it makes it that little bit easier.

“To mark Millie’s first birthday twenty years ago we organized a fundraising event that raised £3,500, which was an incredible achievement.

‘Forever grateful’

We want to go even further for Millie’s 21^st birthday, a milestone we once thought we’d never celebrate. We’re asking people to donate what they can by 8.17am on 29 August, the time and date Millie was born.

“This will be an amazing way to say thank you for everything the nurses and doctors did all those years ago, allowing Millie to be who she is today, and a great way to support the incredible hard work and dedication of the nurses and doctors who help so many other babies like Millie.

“We will be forever grateful for the care Millie received during her time at Bolton Neonatal Unit and their kindness will never be forgotten.

As part of the fundraising effort, the family hosted a cricket tournament at Eagley Sports Complex to celebrate the 50^th year of Bolton and Cooper.

How Our Bolton NHS Charity is helping babies and families

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of supporters, Our Bolton NHS Charity has already been able to help babies and families in a range of ways, including:

• Hot cots so babies who are born prematurely and at risk of hypothermia can remain on the post-natal ward with Mum, instead of being admitted to the Neonatal Unit.
• A selection of books so parents and babies can enjoy stories together on the Neonatal Unit.
• Refurbishment of parent accommodation facilities so parents who have a critically unwell baby on the Neonatal Unit can stay close by in a calm and supportive environment.
• Supportive and comfortable reclining chairs so parents can feed, provide skin-to-skin cuddles, and bond with their babies during their time on the Neonatal Unit.
• The Neonatal Unit’s first twin cot so premature twins – once stable – can co-sleep, bringing the reassurance and familiarity of the womb, meaning parents can care for and bond with their babies together.
• A video laryngoscope to support neonatal intubation and improve respiratory care and health outcomes for premature babies.

You can support Keeley’s fundraiser by making a donation via Keeley’s Go Fund Me page. To find out more about Our Bolton NHS Charity, please visit Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s website.