| The parents of twins born three and a half months premature have turned presents into cash to thank staff at Ninewells who cared for their babies, writes Jack McKeown.
Toddlers Scott and Iona Nicoll were due to be born on October 12 last year, but arrived on July 9 instead, weighing in at only 2 lb and 1 lb 15 oz respectively — less than a bag of sugar.
The babies spent a total of 13 weeks in Ninewells, being cared for by staff in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), watched over by parents Graeme and Louise.
The couple returned to the unit with Scott and Iona today, to present staff with a cheque for £1835.
Graeme said, “We are indebted to the care they received during their stay. We know they would not have survived without the NICU and SCBU expertise provided.
“We had to be so careful for fear of infection, and in fact did not get to hold Scott until he was a week old and Iona was three weeks.”
The twins celebrated their first birthday in style with a party at the family home on a farm outside Forfar, but instead of presents, Louise and Graham requested donations for the SCBU.
To add to the party atmosphere, the family encouraged businesses throughout the town to make donations to a raffle, with a bottle stall and other games and prizes encouraging partygoers to put their hands in their pockets.
“We were delighted by the response from the business community and our friends and family who gave so generously, helping to make the event such a special and successful day,” added Louise.
Alison Wright, senior charge nurse in the neonatal unit at Ninewells, received the cheque from the proud parents and the toddlers. |
