£13,000 thanks for saving Oliver
Oliver Bray was the inspiration for his parents fundraising efforts after he received life-saving treatment at Bostons Pilgrim Hospital and Nottingham City Hospital.
THE parents of a baby who was given life-saving treatment as he suffered a stroke during birth have handed over more than £13,000 as a thank you to hospital staff.
Oliver Bray was rushed into Pilgrim Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit last January after he had to be resuscitated, ventilated and given a blood transfusion in a bid to save his life.
Since then, his parents Rachel and Chris, of Kirton, have been fundraising to buy vital equipment for the Boston hospital and Nottingham City Hospital, where Oliver was later transferred.
Rachel (32) said: “You cannot put a price on saving your baby’s life but it is important that the hospital has all the equipment it needs.
“Both myself and Oliver needed a blood transfusion during the birth so I want to help raise awareness of people voluntarily giving blood as well because without that blood, Oliver would not be alive.”
Rachel and her friends have held a variety of events to raise money. She has already given £3,209 to Nottingham City Hospital and had raised £4,186 for Pilgrim before her efforts were boosted further with a £6,275 donation from the NatWest Communityforce fund.
The money will be spent on either a vein viewer, which will make it easier to find veins and give intravenous fluids or antibiotics to babies or it could go towards a new baby incubator.
Although Oliver has some brain damage on the left side he is now meeting all the key milestones for his development. He is being aided by physiotherapy sessions and given help from staff in paediatrics.
Rachel added: “My husband, Chris, and I have been fundraising since January to raise as much money as possible for the hospitals that saved Oliver as a token of our appreciation.
“They do an amazing job and the care they give is second to none, not only to sick babies, but to premature babies too.
“We were told that we wouldn’t know how it would affect Oliver until he gets older, by way of movement and speech. We are just playing a waiting game now.”
Sharon Herbert, neonatal ward sister at the Pilgrim, praised the “heartfelt” donation.
She said: “Rachel has raised thousands of pounds through her fundraising and we will ensure that we spend the money she has donated wisely.
“All donations are welcomed and we know that this one is particularly heartfelt.”
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