A WESTBURY couple who raised £10,000 for premature newborns after losing their baby daughter are expecting a very special arrival on Christmas day.

Tania and Andy Covington-Cross lost their daughter Mabel when she was born at just at 22 weeks, and she only survived for 25 minutes. Through IVF treatments they are now due a particularly special present on Christmas Day.

Whilst in the care of the RUH Bath they set up a Just Giving page to support the neonatal intensive care unit and were amazed by the support they received.

With the couple’s generous donation, the unit were able to purchase a video laryngoscope, an piece of technology which allows doctors to examine babies throats through a video projected onto a screen.

Mrs Covington-Cross, 40, said: “Our precious daughter Mabel was perfect. The midwives, consultants and chaplaincy were amazing at what was the worst time of our lives, so my husband and I decided that we wanted to give something back to the RUH.

“We set up a Just Giving page when I was in the RUH so we could raise funds in Mabel’s memory for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“We’ve been amazed and moved by the generosity of our friends and family who have helped us raise the money which has helped fund the new purchase.

“We are just delighted to now be expecting again, we are so thrilled the treatment worked.”

Mr and Mrs Covington-Cross were invited by The Forever Friends Appeal to come in and meet the staff in the unit and to see the piece of equipment that they funded.

Dr Steve Jones, Consultant Neonatologist, at the RUH said: “The video laryngoscope gives us better view via a projected image on a screen so that we can see a baby’s airway clearly when we need to put a breathing tube into their throat to help with their breathing.

“Having this equipment is a game changer for us and it has already been demonstrated to our neonatal colleagues in Trusts across the South West.”

Mr and Mrs Covington-Cross have now set up a Forever fund through The Forever Friends Appeal in memory of Mabel, to pay tribute and continue raising funds for the RUH.

To donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tania-covington-cross2.