Four year old Rosie has overcome a difficult, premature start in life, in part thanks to the support of Gateshead’s Special Care Baby Unit. This year, she will take on the Mini Great North Run for the second time to support babies like her.
Rosie was born seven weeks early after her mam, Claire underwent an emergency caesarean section. Rosie had to go to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) immediately after birth, while her mum was transferred to the Post Natal Ward to recover from her major surgery.
Claire, Rosie’s mum explains:
It was an extremely stressful time for us as parents. It goes against all of your instincts to put your trust in people you do not know to care for your poorly newborn baby.
Claire, Rosie’s mum
Rosie spent 12 days in SCBU and while it was a very worrying time for her parents, the SCBU team was extremely supportive and worked hard to set the family’s minds at ease.
Mam Claire said:
The team gave us regular updates and would discuss any changes to her care, even down to when Rosie would be fed and when her medication was adjusted. This is a tribute to the SCBU team going above and beyond to provide the best care and support for their patients.
Staff on the unit were so empathetic, supportive and really did alleviate a huge amount of stress for us at such a difficult and distressing time. The team became like family to us.
Claire, Rosie’s mum
Last year Rosie decided to fundraise for Gateshead Health Charity in support of SCBU to give back for the care and support she received in those early days. Rosie took part in the 2023 Mini Great North Run, raising an amazing £453 for the Special Care Baby Unit. This year Rosie is looking to take on the challenge again to raise even more funds for those who helped her.
Rosie recently came into the Special Care Baby Unit to say a personal thank you to the staff there and present them with a cheque from her fundraising efforts.
Claire went on to say:
The Post Natal Ward and SCBU were both such calming environments which also really helped significantly with reducing my anxiety. I think being in this calm environment has contributed to Rosie being a really calm baby and such a laid back child.
Claire, Rosie’s mum
Prior to her C-section, Claire was invited for an informative tour of SCBU to help reduce stress before coming into hospital.
Claire said:
I would again like to give my thanks and praise the SCBU team for the amazing and kind support they provided Rosie, myself and my family in this stressful time. They really made me feel at ease
We want to support other babies and parents who are going through similar experiences, I hope the money that Rosie raises can make a difference.
Claire, Rosie’s mum
Clare Drummond, Manager of Gateshead Health Charity, said:
We want to say a huge thank you to Rosie for all of her amazing fundraising efforts to support Gateshead Health Charity.
Our teams want to make any time spent in hospital easier for babies and their families. With donations like this from Rosie we can go beyond the standard care to put the icing on the cake and enhance the patient experience here in Gateshead. We can’t wait to see Rosie again for the Great North Run 2024!
Clare Drummond, Manager of Gateshead Health Charity
The special care baby unit provides care for premature and sick newborn infants. The SCBU team also supports midwives and parents in caring for babies with extra needs in the postnatal ward. This helps to prevent mothers and babies from being separated unnecessarily.
If you are interested in supporting Rosie or any of our Gateshead Health Charity fundraisers, check our socials for upcoming fundraisers sharing their stories and their reasoning for supporting our charity. https://www.facebook.com/GatesheadHealthCharity/
Alternatively, you can get involved in our 2024 events to raise funds for our charity, check out our events page on our website for more information: https://www.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/about/events/