Wick family says thanks for saving miracle Millie

First-time mum Charlotte Hewitt, 33, was rushed to hospital, in June 2009, after doctors diagnosed her with a severe case of pre-eclampsia, a condition which, if not treated, could have been life-threatening for her and her baby.

Millie was born following an emergency Caesarean section at just 29 weeks and weighed a miniscule 1lb 10½oz. Doctors then broke the news that every parent dreads – their child could die.

“When I was told, I just shut down,” said Charlotte, of Dean Close, Wick. “It was just awful.

“Doctors were brutally honest. They said babies of Millie’s weight had a one-in-10 chance of survival. It was horrible.

“Millie spent five weeks in intensive care in the Trevor Mann Baby Unit, at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The staff there were just amazing. They saved her life.”

Now, more than two years on, Millie and her family have helped to raise almost £1,900 for the intensive care unit that saved her life.

Family and friends rallied together, holding a charity dinner and dance at The Fox Inn, Patching, raising an impressive £1,870.30.

And now the family has presented the hospital with a cheque from all the funds raised on the night.

Charlotte said: “The staff were absolutely incredible. So many of them worked back-to-back shifts, sometimes 15 or 16-hour days, to help Millie and the other babies there.

“We just wanted to do something to show how much their hard work meant to us. They saved Millie’s life.

“They were very good with us. They always told us what could happen. They kept us so well informed.

“Sadly there were some babies who didn’t make it while we were there. We hope this money can help to save other children, like Millie.”

More than 100 people took part in the fund-raiser, with businesses in the area, as well as friends and family, donating raffle prizes.

All the money raised will go towards buying a blood gas analyser, worth more than £2,000.

Millie, who is now a healthy two-year-old, regularly visits the staff who helped to save her, with her dad Darren and Charlotte.

“She is a very strong and determined little girl. She is very cheeky and always gets what she wants. She’s lovely,” added Charlotte.