Adoring uncle Billy Monsey is asking people to go the extra mile – as a thank you to those who are caring for his tiny niece.
Billy, 11, wants to gather a mile-long, 63,360-strong collection of 10p pieces, adding up to a £6,336 boost for the two hospitals that have provided round-the-clock care for six-week-old Emmie-Rae Barker.
The battling baby was born with five heart conditions, and has spent the majority of her early weeks at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Now her family is raising money for the two hospitals – led by uncle Billy and his 10p challenge.
Emmie-Rae was born by emergency c-section at 37 weeks at the N&N, and has spent three weeks in the N&N's neonatal intensive care unit, one week at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), and a further two weeks at the N&N's Buxton Ward.
Mum Charlotte Monsey, 27, and dad Kane Barker, 22, of Fowell Close, Earlham, said they were devastated when they found out at their 20-week scan that their first child together had a number of serious heart conditions.
Mr Barker, a self-employed roofer, said: 'We went to our scan thinking we would find out the sex of our baby but we ended up getting devastating news instead.'
Miss Monsey, who also has a six-year-old son Riley Leveridge, said: 'Since the birth she has done really well.
'She was breathing on her own as soon as she came out so we had her for about 20 minutes before they rushed her off to neonatal.'
She has now been home for three days and will continue to be supported by outreach nurses. She also faces major surgery in the near future but needs to put on more weight.
As well as being born weighing 4lbs 14oz she had low blood sugar and with numerous operations looming the family have decided to stay strong by raising money for the hospitals that have helped them.
Billy, a pupil at Broadland High School, said: 'We are aiming to raise as much money as possible and we want to collect 63,360 ten pence coins to raise £6,336. I wanted to do this because I know it will go towards a good cause and because of the help they have given Emmie.'
The family's target completion date is February 14, 2015, and all funds raised will be split between the N&N's neonatal ward and GOSH.
The couple, who have been together for three years, also thanked their Bliss nurse – a specialist nurse who provides practical advice, emotional support and guidance directly to parents and family members of premature and sick babies – staff from the N&N, GOSH and their family and friends.
Are you raising money for a special cause? Email donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk
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