Hi all my name is Mark Pearson and I would really appreciate your help.

My niece Donna and her husband Michael are living every prospective new parent's nightmare, that of losing a premature baby.

Donna had been having a normal pregnancy until 6 weeks ago when she had a bleed and was diagnosed with placenta previa which means the placenta has implanted at the bottom of the uterus, over the cervix, or close by, thus the baby can't be born normally. It also presents a very high risk of the mother bleeding out in labour and the goal is to keep the baby inside for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, Donna went into labour and baby Ben had to be delivered by C-Section at 29 weeks and 2 days.

Ben very sadly passed away this morning at 4.30am in the NICU at Avenues Clinic in Zimbabwe.

As everyone will be aware the situation in Zimbabwe is a dire one with wild fluctuations in currency and pricing and there is no infrastructure to speak of. Prices for treatment are made up as they go along and all government-backed hospitals have collapsed hence his being delivered somewhere with the medical facilities that gave him the best chance at life.

Unfortunately to compound Donna and Michael's problems they had complications with the medical aid which means they will have large shortfalls to cover as well as the funeral.

The funds will be used first and foremost to cover:

To everyone that has donated and helped already a huge thank you.Please hold Donna nad Michael in your thoughts and prayers.

Any help anyone could give to help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Mark