A family forever grateful for the support they received from Royal Bolton Hospital when their twins were born prematurely have made a donation to help other youngsters.
Alex Grice and Nicola Orrell, with the help of family and friends, organised a charity ball to mark World Prematurity Day 2023.
The family chose a number of charities to support, including Our Bolton, with the funds donated to the charity’s dedicated paediatric and neonatal specialty fund. A total of £7,300 was donated.
The family have supported Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s official charity partner for the past four years to acknowledge the support Alex and her partner Declan received when their twins, Ava and Archie, were born prematurely at Royal Bolton Hospital in 2019.
The twins spent 126 days on the Neonatal Unit (NNU), during which time Alex said experienced care and compassion from the staff.
Alex said: “Raising money for the Bolton NNU will always be of the highest importance to me and my family after what the nurses, doctors and staff did to care and support us when Ava and Archie were born 15 weeks early, in 2019.
“After being born so prematurely and poorly, their uncertainty of life put everything into perspective for us as a family and it is one of our greatest privileges to be able to give back to the incredible NHS staff who helped us through the darkest times.
"We’ll always be grateful for their support and kindness.
“We have experienced life on neonatal unit first hand and knowing that these funds have and continue to help support other families going through similar experiences makes us truly happy.”
Nicola, who is grandmother to the twins, has helped to organise the charity ball and is currently finalising plans for their fifth annual event on Saturday, November 9.
Nicola said: “We’re in the planning phase for our fifth annual charity ball, which will take place on November 9 at the Last Drop Hotel in Bolton.
“We are looking for businesses to support our amazing event through sponsorship and the donation of raffle and auction prizes.
“Sponsors will receive a table of 12, sponsor credits on all social media posts, branding on the event and credits in any coverage. To find out more please email nicola@edisonmedia.co.uk.”
The past four events have raised £57,000 for Our Bolton NHS Charity and other organisations and charities, including Ronald McDonald House Charities, Bliss Charity and SANDS.
Sarah Skinner, Charity Manager at Our Bolton NHS Charity, said: “The generosity of Alex, Nicola and their family and friends has already made a meaningful difference to our families who spend time in our Neonatal Unit.
“Thanks to our community of Bolton Neonatal Unit supporters, including Alex and Nicola, we have proudly funded the refurbishment of parent accommodation facilities, reclining chairs for skin-to-skin contact and a twin cot.
“We look forward to supporting Alex and Nicola once again in 2024 to raise awareness of the support available from our incredible staff and much-needed funds so we can continue to invest in the things that improve the NHS experience for the people of Bolton and beyond.”
Tickets to attend the event are now available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ladies-gentleman-welcome-to-our-world-prematurity-charity-ball-tickets-853790529457?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.
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