A BEREAVED Eastleigh dad is fronting a vital fundraising campaign for a charity that supported his baby daughter's short life.

Mike Langfeld, father-of-two from Eastleigh, is sharing his emotional story and the support he, his wife Becky, and his son Zach received from Rainbow Trust after his daughter Annie was born with a rare life-threatening condition in October 2018.

Annie was born at 38 weeks after a difficult pregnancy, weighing just 4Ibs.

She was immediately taken away for an emergency blood transfusion due to having an extremely low haemoglobin level.

She was also intubated to help keep her alive.

Over the next few weeks it was confirmed that Annie had a rare mitochondrial syndrome called Pearson’s and Mike and his wife Becky were given the devastating news that there was only a 50 per cent chance that Annie would reach the age of two.

Mike said: "Whilst in Southampton neonatal unit we were referred to Rainbow Trust for support and were paired with our Family Support Worker Liz.

“Liz started giving sibling support to Zach, our older son, who was three at the time, through activities, trips to the park and a friendly face to just be there. She enabled Zach to have moments of fun and enjoyment, like any other little boy. This meant so much to my wife, Becky, and I as we were trying to juggle hospital life and home life and were both very torn.

“Thankfully, we were able to bring Annie home before Christmas 2018 so that we could try to make some memories whilst we were able. However, the medical regime Annie required was extremely intense and Becky and I both struggled to balance this with ensuring Zach had the attention he needed. Liz would continue to visit weekly and give Zach some one-to-one time and make a fuss of him."

Liz continued to support the family and also introduced them to Annabel, a Rainbow Trust volunteer.

He described Annabel as a "trusted friend" who offered support to Zach and Becky.

"That relationship continued to develop and Annabel feels like a surrogate mum to Becky now," Mike said.

In September 2020, Annie was taken into hospital with a serious infection.

On October 23, just one week after her second birthday, Annie died in Becky's arms.

“No parent should have to say goodbye to their child and I know my wife and I will never get over this. 

"It breaks our hearts that our son Zach also has to cope with tragedy that no five-year-old should have to experience and live with for the rest of their life.

“If it wasn’t for Liz and Annabel we would not have been able to keep going. 

"Both were with us after Annie’s death supporting all of us. They were by our sides at the funeral and Annabel gave a beautiful reading."

Rainbow Trust supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.

To support Rainbow Trust’s fundraising appeal and make a donation visit rainbowtrust.org.uk/donate