A 3-year-old boy who was born with a rare condition called Oesophageal Atresia (OA) will be walking around the Carnival Field later this month to raise money for St Mary's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Harry Barber was born at Macclesfield Hospital in June 2011 at 38 weeks gestation and weighing just 4lb 14oz.
His mother Katy explains "It became apparent quite quickly after birth that things weren't quite right with Harry and he was rushed away to special care. Later, the pediatricians came to speak to me about Harry's diagnosis with Oesophageal Atresia - his food tube wasn't joined up to the stomach so he couldn't swallow, and he was struggling to breathe without constant suction to remove his saliva.
"He was transferred to St Mary's NICU the same day and spent 9 long weeks growing strong enough to be able to have an 8 hour operation to move his stomach up into his chest to finally make a join to his food tube."
Harry has been attending Carnival Preschool since September 2013 and will be starting primary school this year.
On Wednesday 20th May he will be joined by the other preschool children, his mum and the preschool team for Harry's Birthday Teddy Toddle & Picnic. The children will be in fancy dress, carry a special doll or teddy and after the walk they will all return to the preschool for a picnic, including cake of course.
It was a very successful event last year, raising £1366 for St Mary's NICU and £220 for TOFs.
In the past 4 years Katy Barber has raised a fantastic £6793 for St Mary's NICU and set herself a ten year target of raising £10,000.
Money raised will go towards continued improvements to the unit which help make the environment feel friendlier. So far, funds raised by supporters have gone towards breast feeding chairs, decorating of the breast feeding rooms, new lockers, improvements to the parent accommodation, a bespoke ambulance, the introduction of a play therapist for siblings, specialist training courses and improvements to parent welcome packs.
You can donate online by visiting their JustGiving page.
