A FUNDRAISER by the families of two premature baby boys to help the Southampton neonatal unit which saved their lives has raised nearly £45,000.
The culmination of the Helping Reggie and Evan give something back campaign took place at St Mary's Stadium at the weekend.
Hosted by the families of Reggie Sturgess and Evan Phillips, the event saw fundraising reach £43,150 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Princess Anne Hospital.
Reggie was born unresponsive at 26 weeks a year ago, weighing just 2lbs. He had to be ventilated twice and spent 13 weeks in hospital.
He developed sepsis, two collapsed lungs and numerous infections. Reggie was also born with brain damage, the severity of which is still unknown, bone disease and lung disease and underwent laser eye surgery in both eyes.
He is now happy at home but will be on continuous oxygen for the foreseeable future.
Evan came into the world at 29 weeks in January, weighing 2lbs 8oz. He was put on a ventilator and spent nine agonising weeks in the same incredible neonatal unit.
Mums Kate and Hazel dreamed up the sold out celebration, which was attended by a host of neonatal nurses and took place on the eve of Reggie's first birthday.
A bumper auction and raffle included some impressive prizes, ranging from signed football shirts to holidays and from Saints season tickets and hospitality to hotel vouchers.
Entertainment was provided by Evan's dad Tom's band The Big Town Boppers.
Tiny Saints fans Reggie and Evan captured the imagination of Saints defender Lyanco as well as ex Saints who donated prizes in the build up to the event.
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