Grateful family’s phenomenal fundraising

Spencer and Kelly Cree, supported by their daughter Ruby-Mae, eight, have raised this huge amount in the last eight months, motivated by the memory of their first baby Freddie, who died after being born prematurely and extremely poorly.

Freddie was just three days old when he died in May 2016. He was born just under 24 weeks and weighed 1.2 pounds at Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital before being transferred to New Cross.

The couple, who live in Oakham, vowed to become fundraisers to help others with babies in the Neonatal Unit after receiving “wonderful care” throughout Freddie’s short life and were originally going to do something for what would have been his tenth birthday next year.

“But we found ourselves on a bit of a roll after raising £1700 last October from a charity darts match, supported by West Midlands Air Ambulance and Ruby-Mae, who sold bracelets and keyrings she made,” explained Kelly.

“We ramped things up again in April when Spencer climbed Snowdon with his friends Phil Coleman, , Aaron Poole (H), Chris Kemmings and Mikki Kazmi, people gave donations on the way up and down the mountain, they were so generous.

“We carried on plotting things with Nicci Sutton and Emily Wheldon from Dudley Ex-Servicemen’s Club, who have been so supportive throughout, and over the last eight months we’ve had a darts knockout, raffles, a tombola, bingo, a quiz, and a disco.”

Spencer lost three stones before climbing Snowdon, and has continued to lose weight, and admitted it was hard work.

“You have to focus on why you’re there and thinking about Freddie got me through it, as well as my friends,” he said. “And we really wanted to do something else to thank staff at New Cross for their care.”

After a car boot sale, badged as “Freddie’s Fundraiser” helped top up the pot some more, the family also bought lots of items they knew families with babies in Neonatal care would need.

“I remember having to leave Freddie to run out and get nappies as no-one is prepared for the circumstances of such a premature birth and I wanted to make sure other families don’t need to do that,” said Kelly. “So we’ve stocked up on items families will need such as nappies, wipes and cotton wool so staff can just give them out.”

The couple found it emotional going back on to the Neonatal Unit to hand over the cheque.

“We do have that sense of pride though, that we’ve made a difference,” Kelly added. “We like to think Freddie would be proud of his mum, dad and sister too.”

Amie Rogers, Fundraising and Lead Digital Engagement officer for Your RWTC, the Trust’s charity, said the Cree family’s generosity had been overwhelming.

“They raised lots of money before and to go on and do even more like this – with all these events and such incredible dedication – is humbling. They are phenomenal and Neonatal Unit families will always be grateful, along with our teams who support parents.”