Nick's Sponsored Beard Shave

Nick and Laura Baldwin of Nick's Hair Studio in Longfield visited Darent Valley Hospital on Thursday 15th August to present a cheque for £5,240 to staff on the Special Care Baby Unit (Walnut Ward).

Over 2 years ago, on the 5th April 2017, twin girls Willow and Dusty were born in Darent Valley Hospital at 9.30am & 9.32am. Parents Nick and Laura's enjoyment of that special moment with their girls soon turned to panic as a half an hour after birth, Dusty stopped breathing. Dusty was hurried away by the resuscitation team to Walnut Ward, and was not seen by her mother until 11pm when she was wheeled in her incubator to her mother's bedside, before being sent to Medway Hospital in a special ambulance. 

Dusty wasn't able to breathe on her own and was having seizures. At Medway she received further treatment and after 2 days, was transferred to the Evelina London Children's Hospital. Thankfully Dusty responded well to treatment and was back at Darent Valley on Walnut Ward for another week before being reunited with her twin sister at home. 

"To see what they do and what other parents go through on that ward, with premature babies and other difficult situations like ours, is simply amazing.

Although we can not praise Medway and the Evelina enough for their help and support, the care that Dusty received in those vital first hours from the doctors and nurses and all involved on the Walnut ward saved her life."

Nick Baldwin, father of Willow & Dusty

Nick raised the whopping £5,240 for the Little Buds Fund through a sponsored beard shave. Despite protests from his wife and other people's dislike of it, Nick had grown his beard since the girls were born. He knew he wanted to show his appreciation to the Ward for saving Dusty's life, and planned to raise money by having Willow and Dusty shave off his beard on their 2nd birthday.  

Photographed: The newly trimmed Nick with wife Laura, Walnut Ward staff and Willow held to the left, Dusty on the right.