Inside Salisbury: One mum expresses gratitude after her baby was born weighing just 3lbs
Mum of two signs up for Walk for Wards event after one month in hospital
By Annette J Beveridge
ONE mum has signed up for the Walk for Wards charity event after spending a month in Salisbury Hospital’s Neonatal Unit.
Francesca Evans’ daughter Margaux was cared for at the Neonatal Unit after she was born two months early in October 2023, and weighed just 3lbs.
The 35 year old teacher said: “I cried when I saw her for the first time. She looked so small and fragile in this huge incubator. When I got to hold her she was still on oxygen and had lots of wires attached to the machines.”
During this difficult time, Francesca and her husband Tim stayed in the Stars Appeal’s parents’ accommodation in the Neonatal Unit.
The mum of two from Wilton said: “Knowing that she would be in hospital for a long time I was frightened that I wouldn’t be able to be with her. Having the Stars Appeal family room meant that I could be there all the time for Margaux. It gave us that home away from home. We had a space to come together as a family.”
The Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation on the Neonatal Unit provides four en-suite family rooms, six mother and baby rooms, plus a playroom, kitchen and quiet room.
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The Stars Appeal funded facilities is one of the only Neonatal Units in the country giving the opportunity for every mum to stay with their baby. Francesca later moved to one of the mother and baby rooms with Margaux, who is now 17 months old.
She said: “One of my worries was that I wouldn’t be able to create that bond with Margaux that I had with my son Rex. I wouldn’t have had that bond if I had to go home every day and wasn’t able to stay with her.”
The Stars Appeal funded playroom enabled her to spend quality time with her four year old son Rex, who loved playing with all the toys. The soothing live music played by Stars Appeal Live artists every week was a highlight of Francesca’s stay.
Francesca added: “When you’re sat in there and all you hear is the beeping of the machines it was wonderful to have live music. It was something I looked forward to. Sitting there holding Margaux and having the music playing is something that will live with me forever as it was so special for me.”
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On July 6, Francesca and her family will be taking part in Walk for Wards at Wilton House in support of the Neonatal Unit.
To support families like Francesca’s, sign up for the Stars Appeal’s 20th Walk for Wards on Sunday, July 6 at Wilton House. Participants can walk 3k, 5k, 10k or the new 15k route for their chosen ward or department at Salisbury Hospital.
Register for free at www.starsappeal.org/event/walk-for-wards/
