Thanks for life-saving incubator, say Leeds parents of tiny baby

A Leeds hospital has been able to buy a vital life-saving incubator for its neonatal unit thanks to the generosity of local people. Catherine Scott reports.
Chris Burns and Emma Bailey with baby ArchieChris Burns and Emma Bailey with baby Archie
Chris Burns and Emma Bailey with baby Archie

The generosity of local people has meant a Yorkshire hospital has been able to buy a new incubator to save the lives of some of the most vulnerable babies.

Hospital charity Leeds Cares has revealed it has been able to buy a new state-of-the-art baby Leo incubator for the neonatal unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Following this successful appeal to the public, more than 1,200 people made donations to the charity which resulted in them reaching their target in just a few weeks, raising an incredibile £70,000.

Archie BurnsArchie Burns
Archie Burns

The incubator is now due to arrive at the neonatal unit at the end of January.

New parents Chris Burns and Emma Bailey were in hospital with their one-month-old baby Archie when Leeds Cares launched their Urgent Equipment Appeal and they know all too well the value of the vital piece of equipment.

Archie spent two weeks in an incubator on the neonatal intensive care unit and grew from strength to strength until the family were able to return home together three weeks ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re absolutely over the moon that the appeal has raised enough to buy a new incubator for the ward,” says Chris.

Archie Burns in the life-saving incubator at Leeds Children's HospitalArchie Burns in the life-saving incubator at Leeds Children's Hospital
Archie Burns in the life-saving incubator at Leeds Children's Hospital

“We see the nurses, doctors and surgeons as Archie’s first family. Emma and I will forever be in their debt. Only really now that Archie has grown to a normal birth weight, we realise just how vulnerable he was when he was born at 2lb 12oz, 10 weeks prematurely back in August. We are so lucky to have the unbelievably skilful and knowledgeable NHS staff looking after our little boy.”

Archie, now three months old, will still be under the care of the hospital for his first couple of years for corrective surgeries but should grow to lead a perfectly happy and healthy life.

Dr Lawrence Miall, consultant on the neonatal unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital, said: “We are thrilled that we’re receiving this specialist piece of equipment which will improve the care and support we can provide to premature babies in Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I mentioned at the start of this appeal that throughout my career I’ve always been struck by the kindness and generosity of the people of Leeds, and once again they have proven me right.”

Archie Burns with dad Chris. Archie was born ten weeks prematurely and needed a life saving incubator at Leeds Children's HospitalArchie Burns with dad Chris. Archie was born ten weeks prematurely and needed a life saving incubator at Leeds Children's Hospital
Archie Burns with dad Chris. Archie was born ten weeks prematurely and needed a life saving incubator at Leeds Children's Hospital

Leeds Cares continues to provide funding for life-saving and transformative equipment across Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

For more information about Leeds Cares visit https://leeds-cares.org/ or follow the charity for the latest updates on Facebook at @LeedsCares and on Twitter @Leeds_Cares.

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.