Oh where to start.....

Charlotte, our whirlwind and our pride and joy.

We found out we were pregnant with Charlotte very early on, I remember Paul and myself standing looking at the positive test. A dream I have always wanted, but upon seeing those two lines, questioning everything I've ever dreamed of. I cried and smiled, panicked, cried again and we very quickly realised that Charlotte was the final piece in our beautiful story. Let's just say as soon as we saw her beautiful face our lives would never be the same again.

After a rocky week, Charlotte started to make her intentions known on Friday 13th June and a mere 25 weeks and one day. I Powered through my working day not even thinking for a second that I was having contractions, little did I know I was and Charlotte was well and truly on her way!

Upon arriving at hospital on Friday evening, I was notified that I was in early labour, as you can imagine we felt every emotion, but for the majority we were terrified, terrified for what was upcoming and for the health of our beautiful baby girl.

After a Saturday of injections and drips to give our little girl the best chance, she couldn't wait any longer to meet us and was born at 08.36 on Sunday morning. She was swiftly rushed down into NICU to offer her the immediate support she so desperately needed. Daddy got to meet her first and fell in love at first sight! After surgery and a blood transfusion myself I was then able to go and meet our strong little girl.

I don't think anything can prepare you for what I saw when being wheeled into that room, the machine, the tubes, the beeps, the alarms, and the most precious thing you have ever had, just lying there in such uncertain times.

Our Charlotte lived for nine days, every day was so up and down. Full of hope and then despair. Spending every hour next to her bedside, tag teaming toilet breaks and food just to be able to stay alert for whatever our Charlotte needed. We were notified that Charlotte was the sickest baby they had, but she fought and fought so hard, to spend as much time as possible with us. We made so many memories in those nine days, many of which were supported by the NICU team.

Our fundraiser today is for the NICU unit at New Cross. During our time with Charlotte, we got to know the team really well and they supported us more than we can ever have imagined. They answered all of our questions (we had an awful lot!) They answered the same questions over and over without hesitation. The doctors were phenomenal and did everything possible to help Charlotte, unfortunately her lungs were just not strong enough, the world just wasn't ready for her!

The team enabled us to be with Charlotte whole heartedly. We sung to her, read stories, did foot prints with her, changed her nappy and even got to give her her milk through her tube. These positive moments are what floods our minds when the negative thoughts creep in.

The team spent so many hours both on and off shift thinking about how they could help Charlotte to survive. The sheer amount of care and resources that Charlotte utilised in such a short period of time, shows the passion that the sector has for children and families that are rushed through their doors.

We would love to give something back in Charlotte's name. Charlotte's funeral is due to take place towards the end of July, we are holding a small ceremony with just family to celebrate the life of Charlotte Freyja Haden. But we understand that others would like to celebrate her life also, the funeral directors will be offering a donations box at the funeral, they will then send these donations over to the NICU unit at New Cross.

We felt as we are only holding a small ceremony if anybody would like to donate, a gofundme was the best way for us to get these into the charity box at the funeral.

Thank you for all support through this tough time, donations are not necessary, we just ask for you all to keep Charlotte in your thoughts, as the tough, beautiful little fighter that she was.

Forever in our thoughts, love you so much bubba