PREMATURE baby Ryan Holroyd was born nine weeks early … but thanks to the care he received by hospital staff he is now a healthy bouncing baby.Tiny Ryan weighed in at just 4lbs 1oz when he was born and was under the special care of the Neonatal Unit, formerly the Special Care Baby Unit at Ipswich Hospital for five weeks.

PREMATURE baby Ryan Holroyd was born nine weeks early… but thanks to the care he received by hospital staff he is now a healthy bouncing baby.

Tiny Ryan weighed in at just 4lbs 1oz when he was born and was under the special care of the Neonatal Unit, formerly the Special Care Baby Unit at Ipswich Hospital for five weeks.

He was in an incubator for three weeks to help maintain his body temperature and breathing.

His mother Amanda, said: "He was attached to a heart monitor and needed oxygen to help him breathe.

"Because he was premature he couldn't feed so he was fed glucose via a drip.

"The nurses were amazing. They are so kind and calming and really support you through very difficult times."

Staff at Solar Superstore, in Felixstowe, where Mrs Holroyd works, were so impressed with the care that both mother and baby received, they rallied together and decided to raise money for the Neonatal Unit as a mark of thanks.

Over the Christmas period staff raised £887 in just a few weeks by holding a non uniform day and leaving collection pots at the checkouts.

"Everybody at Solar has been brilliant and when they told me that they were raising money for the baby unit I was thrilled. In my eyes the money couldn't go to a more worthwhile cause.

"The nurses were absolutely brilliant and are remarkable people.

"What they do on a daily basis is incredible and we have a lot to thank them for," said Mrs Holroyd.

At his last weigh, Ryan was 16 lbs 6oz which is normal for a six month old baby, but will not stop being called a premature baby until he is a year old.

"Ryan is doing really well. He is a very happy, smiling baby and has a good set of lungs on him," said Ryan's father, Michael.

The idea of raising money for the hospital came about after Mrs Holroyd's work colleagues had visited her in hospital.

They were amazed at the dedication and compassion shown by the nurses and wanted to show their thanks and appreciation for the care that both mum and baby received.

"We are so grateful to the staff and customers of Solar for their kindness and generosity and are extremely glad that the money is going to such an important cause," said Mr Holroyd.

Although Ryan is no longer under the care of the Neonatal Unit, he will be returning to Ipswich Hospital shortly for a hernia operation, which is a common problem with premature baby boys.

Mr and Mrs Holroyd, of William Booth Way, Felixstowe, and staff at Solar will present the cheque to the Neonatal Unit next week.

"Although Ryan was the inspiration behind the fund raising, the money is for the special care baby unit, said Mrs Holroyd.

"We hope it will go a little way to help the hospital continue the good work they are doing."

WEBLINKS:

www.ipswichhospital.org.uk

www.babyworld.co.uk