Ball to raise cash for hospital which helped save life of premature boy

Sara Appleton and her son Harvey (right) with Dana Tippett and her boys Cameron and Lincoln. (Image: Archant)

Forty-year-old mother Sara Appleton, from Axbridge, spent eight weeks at the Cots for Tots house in Bristol after her now four-year-old son Harvey was born three months premature, prompting his need to be placed in intensive care.

Sara is raising money for the Grand Appeal charity’s Cots for Tots Appeal, which runs the house in the city, to help support families who need to visit their babies at the Bristol Saint Michael’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Sara said: “He’s (Harvey’s) right as rain now and you wouldn’t have known he had such a start after being born at just 28 weeks.

“When Harvey slowly started walking and talking, everyone commented on how cheeky he is, and the fact he’s grown into a happy, healthy young boy.

“The staff who took care of him were brilliant at explaining what was happening at the time and he has to have two years of regular check-ups just to keep on top of things.

The NICU has 31 cots for babies who are in need of specialist care from across Bristol and the South West.

“The experience being at the Cots for Tots house brings people together at a time when you need it most, and the exposure to what other people have gone through means you form friendships for life.”

Sara met her friend Dana Tippett, aged 32, at the Cots for Tots house when her two twin four-year-old boys, Cameron and Lincoln, were admitted into the NICU when they were born 12 weeks premature.

The Special Baby Ball will take place on September 22 at the venue in Weston from 6.45pm-1am.

A three-course meal will be served, alongside music and a welcome complimentary glass of wine.

Entertainment confirmed to play at the event will be provided by rock and pop band Momentum, who are from Highbridge.

Tickets, priced £45.50, are available from www.grandpier.co.uk or contact 01934 620238.