Rebecca Hanley, from Middlesbrough, was 26 weeks and three days into her pregnancy when her waters broke at 1.30am.
Following a complicated labour Reuben was delivered feet first after being stuck for nine minutes.
She said: “Reuben was beautiful boy. His brother Finley looks just like his daddy, but Reuben had a look of me.
“He weighed 1 pound 13 ounces which was a good size for his age.”
During his time on the neonatal unit, Reuben suffered a severe seizure which resulted in multiple bleeds on his brain.
Since his passing, Rebecca and Reuben’s dad, Andrew Harvey, have dedicated themselves to fundraising for the unit to help other babies and families in Reuben’s memory and to thank the staff who looked after him.
Rebeca said: “The neonatal team were so supportive. I knew the unit was a special place but until you have a baby in there you don’t realise how special it is.”
March for Reuben
On Saturday 7 March, Rebecca, Andrew and their family and friends walked 22 miles from the neonatal unit to Spennymoor Football Club.
Despite it being approximately 44,000 steps, the challenge took the group just seven and a half hours.
Rebecca added: “Starting at 4.30am, we were a little bit tired but excited for the first few miles. Everyone was really hyped and ready to do it.
“There were some really tough long inclines but once we got to the top we paused, regrouped and continued on.”
Reuben’s grandparents, cousins and big brother Finley joined for the final mile.
Reflecting, Rebecca added: “The last mile was so emotional, we were all proud, overwhelmed and a little relieved. Me and Andrew are so proud of ourselves and everyone that took part.”
Despite their charity walk being over, donations continue to come in through their dedicated JustGiving page.
Rebecca said: “We are incredibly grateful for every single person that has supported us along the way.
“It’s helped us heal a little bit knowing how much everyone will remember Reuben even though they didn’t meet him.”
Thank you
Vicky Ford, neonatal matron, said: “On behalf of the nursing and medical team from the neonatal unit I would like to send a heartfelt message to Rebecca and Andrew along with their family and friends for their amazing fundraising efforts.
“We deeply appreciate your time and energy; your support truly will make a difference for our families.
“Having been through such a difficult time with the sad loss of Reuben it is incredible that you wish to give something back to the team that cared for him.
“We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone who has donated to our unit in memory of Reuben.”
How Our Hospitals Charity helps babies and families
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of supporters, Our Hospitals Charity has been able to help babies and families in a range of ways, including:
- Creating a tranquil and relaxing outdoor space where people can take a break from the busy ward
- Supporting those special days in hospital such as Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Days and Christmas
- Supporting keepsakes for families of babies who have sadly passed away
- Refurbishing family rooms
- Funding Mini Boos for parents and their babies. Mini Boos are small, comfort blankets used in the neonatal unit to help bonding, attachment and even milk production by transferring scents. They come in pairs. One is given to the parent and the other to the baby. They are then exchanged frequently so the baby has the smell of their mum in their incubator.
- Offering vCreate, a free secure video messaging service which allows staff to record and send pictures and video updates to parents, which helps minimises any separation anxiety for families
To find out more visit Our Hospitals Charity’s neonatal charitable fund webpage.