Another huge donation from champion fundraisers

Spencer and Kelly Cree, along with their daughter Ruby-Mae, have once again hit the charity bullseye by raising £5,665 for New Cross Hospital’s Neonatal Unit which cared for their first baby Freddie.

Their son 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 caring couple, who live in Oakham, have since put their hearts and souls into raising money in his memory, to help other parents on the unit where they have praised staff for their compassion and support.

They were able to make their latest donation after a darts trophy night at Bostin Darts 180 Bar in Blackheath and ongoing support from Nicci Sutton and Emily Wheldon for another darts event at Dudley Ex-Servicemen’s Club.

Spencer joined friends Chris and Lucas Kemmings to do a sponsored walk from Russells Hall Hospital to New Cross Hospital, a total of 12 miles, and Kelly jumped out of a plane – pushed by Spencer he jokes – for a skydive the day before Freddie’s birthday, in May. Spencer also took part in a charity boxing match.

“We took £300 from the £5,665 to spend on nappies and other items for parents to have in the Neonatal Unit, supported by donations collected through the Bostin Darts and the Ex-Servicemen’s Club with help from Wendy Coley from the Artisan Espresso Bar in Blackheath, “ explained Kelly, 37.

“We handed what was left to the Neonatal Unit to use in any way that benefits other parents and babies there because we know first-hand that when you’re going through such a worrying time every bit of help and support means the world.”

The couple are champion fundraisers having taken part in a host of events over the years, including a Freddie’s Fundraiser car boot sale, along with their nine year old daughter.

And it doesn’t stop there. Last Saturday 18 July, Layton Bunce walked from the Bostin Darts 180 Bar to The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion, before abseiling down the Birmingham end of the ground.

Meanwhile, Darren Cooper, a fellow fundraiser, along with Phil Monk, is gearing up to get on the oche in August to pay a 60-hour darts marathon, over three days at Artisan Micro bar, Blackheath.

“We do sometimes stop and think we hope Freddie would be proud of us and we can’t quite believe we’ve raised more than £22,000 to date,” added Spencer, 38. “He was only with us a short time but he was so special and we’ve found our fundraising has just snowballed up to this point. But we have always been determined to do what we can to help other families and show how grateful we are to the Neonatal Unit and staff.”

The couple also want to thank the following:

Rob and Phil Coleman

Janice Parker, Kelly’s mum

Aaron Poole, Mikki Kazmi and Chris Kemmings

The Wonder pub in Tividale supported by Adam Reise

Amie Rogers, Fundraising and Lead Digital Engagement officer for Your RWTC, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s charity, said: “This family never cease to amaze us here at New Cross. They have been through such a difficult time yet constantly think of others.

“We want to say a huge thank you to the Cree family, and the kind-hearted people who support them, for helping us to make such a difference to our patients.”