The funeral of Archie James Rick

The backstory…

Hi, I’m Chelsea, I am the sister of Hayley. I’m going to tell you the backstory of whom you’re helping…

When Hayley was 18, she was told by health professionals, she could never have or carrying a child. She was born with a severe heart condition, and her heart was formed with only one part of a ventricle. A healthy human heart has 4. She has undergone a series of open heart surgeries that have enabled her to fulfil 29 years of life and many more to come.

5 years ago, she fell pregnant. She was over joyed, it was something she has always wanted… to be a mother to a beautiful baby. She spontaneously went into labour at 26 weeks gestation, and undergone an emergency c-section. She had a baby boy, Freddie. He spent 3 weeks with us, fighting every obstacle thrown at him. Unfortunately, he developed Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC), this inflames the small and large intestines and this made him develop a severe infection in his gut. He was incredibly poorly. The decision of removing Freddie’s ventilation in order for him to pass away peacefully, was made. He passed away on 30.09.2016.

Hayley, then went on to have 3 unfortunate miscarriages.

Hayley met her now partner, Dave. She fell pregnant for a 5th time. This pregnancy came with many complications which affected her pregnancy, and on 15.07.2021 at 26 weeks gestation, she went for a check up at the hospital, a CTG was put on to check on baby’s heart rate, and it was evidential his heart rate was significantly dropping. The decision to get him out immediately was made to avoid a stillbirth. She underwent another emergency c-section and birthed another beautiful baby boy, Archie.

He spent 1 week fighting all obstacles thrown at him, but unfortunately, he had severe bleeds on his brain and in his bowel. The doctors and health professionals tried and tried to save him, but he was just too poorly. If they’d have carried on with the medication that was being given to Archie, this would have only have given him a few more days of life, he would have still passed away, and there was a high chance that this would have given him a painful few last days with us. So, the decision was made to remove his ventilation on 23.07.2021.

We had many cuddles with him on his last day, with the ventilation still attached, but as we were having cuddles, his saturation (oxygen) levels were dropping. He was on 97% oxygen, but his saturation levels couldn’t pick up above 76%. It was evidential he was dying on us and his time had come. We removed the ventilator and around 5 minutes later, he passed away peacefully, on 23.07.2021.

Hayley & Dave now have to plan a funeral for their beautiful baby boy, but finances are very short, and they’re both worried that Archie will not have the send off his big brother had and that he deserves.

If you have any spare funds at all, a small donation to help us give him the best send off, will be hugely appreciated.

These funds will go towards the costs of transport to the funeral, transportation of Archie to the funeral, a plot for him to be buried in (near his big brother), a headstone and a coffin and other costs of the organisation of the funeral.

If you’re unable to donate, a share of this Gofundme page would still be appreciated. If you are able to donate, please still share!

Thank you.

Rest peacefully with your big brother.

Archie James Rick.

Forever and always in our hearts