2020 has been a life-changing year for many people. On 16th August 2020, our beautiful son Xavier was born six weeks early, and mine and Cyrille’s world changed forever ❤️

Due to being premature, Xavier had a few problems with his lungs, and so the three of us ended up spending 25 days in the Special Care Baby Unit in Darent Valley Hospital. These 25 days were the most special days of my life, getting to know Xavi, feeding and cuddling him round the clock, and doing everything we could to help him get stronger every day (including becoming pretty much nocturnal!)

Living on the ward for so long opened my eyes to the tough emotional impact of caring for a premature baby, the unwavering love and dedication of other parents on the ward, and the incredible work that the NHS nurses do every day to save lives and give preemies the best possible start in life. Since emerging from hospital, Xavier came home on oxygen to continue giving his lungs a boost, so was attached to O2 tubes while at home and out and about for the first 3 months of his life. He is now almost 4 months old, perfectly healthy and happy, extra chunky, and no longer needs the oxygen at all! 😊 I’m so proud of how far he has come and I’ll never forget those amazing nurses and what they did for my little man.

I’d like to raise money for the Little Buds Fund to help give other premature and sick babies the best possible start in life.

Please consider donating to this special cause.

Thank you 💕
Laura, Cyrille & Xavier

Laura Elliott