2014 North East Postgraduate Conference
Thanks to everyone at the 2014 North East Postgraduate Conference. Both for choosing to support Tiny Lives. And for all those wonderful Halloween inspired cakes baked to raise funds.
Thanks to everyone at the 2014 North East Postgraduate Conference. Both for choosing to support Tiny Lives. And for all those wonderful Halloween inspired cakes baked to raise funds.
My wife, Estella and I became aware of Tiny Lives Trust when our twin daughters Erin and Ellie-Mae were born 12 weeks prematurely. Both Erin and Ellie-Mae were diagnosed with life-threatening bowel condition, Necrotising Enterocolitis and at just two weeks old Ellie-Mae lost her battle and sadly passed away. Erin was transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle for specialist treatment where she had an operation to remove part of her bowel and had a stoma fitted until she grew strong enough to have her bowel reattached.
The doctors and nurses based in ward 35, Special Care Baby Unit of the Newcastle Neonatal Service, at the RVI were all fantastic, Erin survived because of these fabulous people and this immense charity, the work and effort that they do is truly outstanding. From everyone at the forefront on the ward, to the people that you don’t see, the ones sat behind the scenes in the office.
Because of all of the support that we received, the care and attention that Erin had and how wonderful everyone was with our eldest daughter Ruby, I wanted to give something back. So what better way to do this than to put myself out of my comfort zone and do something totally crazy. So I put myself to the test on the 28th September by taking part in a Spartan Sprint, which took place in Ripon Yorkshire, a gruelling five kilometre obstacle race, which guarantees barbed wire, water, fire and lots of mud, and it lived up to it, it’s a race of pure primitive madness. I didn’t do this alone as I managed to rope in very close friends to take part in the challenge too. Erin’s Godfather David Armstrong, South Shields, a close friend from school days Oivind Aas, Haddington Scotland, and a colleague and very good friend Leigh Haley, Wallasey Merseyside. We all did our part in raising money for the event and entered as a team, Erin’s Heroes. This is something none of us have ever done before, so it was a huge personal challenge for us and just a way for me to say thank you to Tiny Lives for all they have done for Erin and my family.
This is an amazing charity that do so much for premature and sick new born babies and their families, we cannot thank you all enough for all that you have done for us. I just hope that we have done something to help so that other families might not have to go through what Estella and I have.
Once again many thanks to everyone involved with Tiny Lives, and a special thank you to the team, Erin’s Heroes, David Armstrong, Leigh Haley and Oivind Aas.
Iain going full steam ahead
Staff at Tesco Bank in Newcastle held their own bake off with all the different departments entering in to this great competition and raising funds for Tiny Lives. Isaac who was on the unit four years ago was asked to be judge along with Louise from Tiny Lives and Suzanne from Tesco Bank in Edinburgh. With all the lovely cakes/pie it was a very tough decision but with the great help from Isaac we finally made the decision and picked three winners. See pictures below…..
Isaac all ready to taste the lovely cakes…
Isaac going around tasting the cakes
Above is the winning cakes along with a very full Isaac
Tesco Bank team getting ready to go around the departments to sell the remaining cakes with all funds going to Tiny Lives
Isaac receiving a little gift from Mandy
Isaac standing next to the amount raised so far by all staff at Tesco Bank – thank you everyone for your wonderful support
Tiny Lives is holding its annual Christmas Reunion Party on Sunday 23rd November 2014, we are delighted that Tesco Bank is supporting the event this year.
It’s a celebration that brings together families whose children spent time on the Special Care Baby Unit at the RVI in Newcastle during their early critical days, weeks, and sometimes months of being a premature or ill newborn baby. Up to 500 parents, former SCBU babies, and their siblings meet and enjoy an afternoon of activities and refreshments at St James’ Park. It’s an opportunity to meet old friends and new, share memories, and enjoy family fun.
We have organised soft play, a bouncy castle, a sensory area, and lots more surprises. This year we have a very special pantomime of Cinderella! We would love you to come and join us for an afternoon full of fun with the chance to meet Santa Claus!
Tickets will be issued ahead of the event and children’s food and drink is provided with each child’s ticket. We do not provide meals or alcoholic drinks for parents and carers but there will be tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks available to purchase at the venue.
Unfortunately due to high demand we can only offer tickets to immediate family members and you will need to complete the registration form attached. Please be aware we must receive this in the office by 31st October 2014 at the latest.
We have just sent our invite letters out, if you haven’t received one by Monday 6 October and you would like to come along to our Christmas Reunion Party please e-mail louise@tinylives.org.uk