Grateful Dad & colleagues raise thousands to say thank you

Five weeks after completing their 13.1 mile Bath Half Marathon challenge, a team of runners from Pardoes solicitors have visited The Forever Friends Appeal at Bath’s Royal United Hospital to present their funds raised – a wonderful £2,500.00. The team of six chose to support the Appeal’s NICU ‘space to grow’ Campaign, following the premature birth of Pardoes Partner Sean McDonough’s twins, who were cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the RUH.

Sean McDonough and his wife Rachel, who live in Bath, were delighted to find out they were expecting twins in 2005. Following a relatively smooth pregnancy, Rachel went into early labour in June and twins Joseph and Olivia were born weighing just 5lb4oz and 3lb15oz respectively. The twins, who were born at the RUH, were taken straight to NICU to help them make it through the first few days of their fragile lives. Joseph was in NICU for just one night, but due to Olivia’s tiny size she spent her first two weeks in the unit. Now lively and energetic three year olds, Joseph and Olivia were cheering from the side lines on Bath Half Marathon day to support their Dad and all his running colleagues.

Members of staff from Pardoes and friends - Andy Bevins, Sarah Driscoll, Ewan MacLarty, Sam Apsey and Sabrina Bailey ran alongside Sean on Bath Half Marathon day to help raise as much as possible to support the NICU ‘space to grow’ Campaign - building a new premature baby unit for Bath’s RUH. Sean McDonough from Pardoes comments: “The care that Joseph and Olivia received from the NICU team at the RUH was first class. In spite of their challenging working environment, the NICU team did an amazing job of looking after our twins whilst also giving us a huge amount of personal support and attention. The opportunity to help in a small way to improve the environment for the babies and staff of the unit seemed like a good way of saying thank you and we are very grateful to the other members of the Pardoes team for getting involved.”

The current RUH NICU consists of cramped corridors and little rooms, with four incubators in rooms meant for one and no privacy for new nursing mothers and distressed families. The inspirational new low carbon building with well designed space will allow staff to practice new methods of care, giving these tiny babies an even better chance at life. With just £650,000 left to raise to bring the NICU ‘space to grow’ Campaign to a successful conclusion, the Appeal are encouraging as much public support as possible over the forthcoming summer months.

Events & Community Officer for The Forever Friends Appeal Jo Hones comments: “Team Pardoes all trained really hard to make sure that they would successfully get around the half marathon course. Their team spirit on the day was truly superb! We would like to thank them for their tremendous support for the NICU ‘space to grow’ Campaign and for raising such a brilliant amount to go towards the new building.”