Middlesbrough twins Albie and Oakley Adams celebrated their fifth birthday by climbing Roseberry Topping, raising £1,100 for the neonatal unit that saved their lives.
The boys, from Acklam, were born at The James Cook University Hospital 10 weeks premature with a rare condition which meant they shared a single placenta.
The monoamniotic identical twins were sent straight to the hospital’s neonatal unit where they stayed for two months.
During that time Albie also developed jaundice and their parents, Jonathan and Emily, moved into the hospital’s temporary housing.
“It is a journey on the neonatal unit, luckily ours was positive,” said Emily.
“It is challenging when you’ve just had a baby and you can’t hold them and do all the normal things like take them home, they do wonders in the unit.”
Emily said they’d been thinking about raising money for the unit for quite some time but wanted to wait until the boys understood the reason behind the fundraising.
Anyone who has walked up the local landmark will know that it can be a bit of a challenge but, that didn’t faze Albie and Oakley who managed to reach the top of the 1,049 feet climb in just over an hour.
“We got a bit lost and ended up going a long way round. It was raining, it was foggy, but they took it all in their stride, they did well.
It’s been emotional coming back and raising money because the boys wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the neonatal unit.”
Thank you!
Following the walk Albie and Oakley returned to the unit to present the team with a large cheque.
Ward manager Vicky Ford thanked the boys, their parents and their friends and family who sponsored the Roseberry Topping climb.
She added: “It was lovely to see the boys when they visited to make this generous donation. They looked healthy and happy and have recently started full time school and now have a new baby brother too.”
Ben Murphy, head of Our Hospitals Charity, said: “It’s great to see Oakley and Albie join our team of fundraisers.
“Their generous donation will help the many babies and their families who come to our hospital for treatment and care, making their experience the best it possibly can be.”
Donate today
The Neonatal Charitable Fund helps support babies and their families over and above what the NHS would provide and include memory boxes, family rooms, cooling mats, equipment, keepsakes and the little things that make a huge difference when families are going through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/JCNCF