Coleraine mum Vicky on how TinyLife helped her family

Vicky Hogg was speaking to help raise awareness for this year’s TinyLife PREMvember campaign.

TinyLife helps some 2000 babies every year who are born too soon, too small or too sick. Some arrive as early as 24 weeks, weighing as little as 1lb/454 grams, the same weight as half a bag of sugar.

2020 has brought a year of uncertainty for everyone struggling to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions and whatever the new normal becomes. However, spare a thought for families going through the often-fraught journey associated with a premature birth.

This year’s PREMvember campaign to celebrate World Prematurity Day on November 17, will, like most other organised events, start online with fundraising an option at home. There are many activities planned including a virtual art exhibition, Be A Plank 30 day, 60 second challenge, Premvember Kilometre that families can toddle, walk, cycle or run at a location of their choice, anytime during November.

Mum Vicky said: “In October 2018, we were pleased to announce the unexpected arrival of our daughter Isabella at 29 weeks after losing her sister (at 24 weeks) due to TTS.

“Tinylife have been a great support to our family in more ways than one. Since we brought Isabella home from the neonatal unit, we have had monthly contact with our Family Support Officer and other mummies who have or are going through similar experiences.

“Tinylife has also been able to offer mental health advice alongside the charity AWARE, which we found very useful during the last year.

“Throughout 2020 Tinylife have been a great lifeline as we have been able to keep in contact with our support group through Zoom and phonecalls. They were able to keep our family calm during the storm. Thank you Tinylife.”

For further information on TinyLife please visit tinylife.org.uk or find Tinylife on Facebook and Twitter.