Staff saved our girl's life

David Moroney • Published 2 Jul 2009 14:00

A LITTLE girl whose parents feared she wouldn"t survive when she was born three months premature is getting set to go to primary school after the summer break.

Erin Dunn, now five, weighed only 1 lbs 5 ounces when she was born and spent the first three months of her life in hospital.

Now a sponsored walk at the Rainbow Family Centre, which she has attended since she was two, raised cash on her behalf to mark the milestone and to thank staff at Paisley"s Royal Alexandra Hospital, who saved her life.

Mum Lynne Dunn and husband John, from Port Glasgow, had already raised more than £2,000 for the hospital when Erin was a year old.

Lynne said: 'We just wanted to do something for everyone there for everything they did for Erin.

'She was very sick when she was born. At about two or three weeks old she had septicemia and we weren"t sure if she would pull through.

'There were at least three times we thought she was on her death bed. The staff there are fantastic.'

Betty Mooney, depute head of Rainbow Family Centre said: 'Erin going to school is a milestone.

'We raise funds every year and try to link the efforts to one of the children.

'This time we wanted to help other babies who need specialist care when they are born.'

Steve Halkett, head of centre at Rainbow Family Centre, , said: 'There was so much support from parents and families for the sponsored walk.

'To raise £2,000 is a brilliant achievement.'

The money, the most raised by parents, staff and children in a single fundraiser, will be split between the centre and the special care baby unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Neonatal midwife, Laura McKenzie, said: 'Lynne and everyone at the centre have been great at fundraising and we really appreciate everything they have done.

'We have recently had a refurbishment and the money will go towards more equipment to help parents and babies be more comfortable.'

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 02 Jul 09

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