The family of a young Crystal Palace fan, who spent the first six weeks of his life in intensive care at Evelina London, is thanking the hospital for saving their son’s life.
Six-year-old Alfie didn’t breathe for twenty minutes after he was born and was blue lighted to neonatal intensive care unit known as NICU, at the hospital in Waterloo.
His parents, Casey and Jamie, said they didn’t know if their son, who has cerebral palsy, would survive – but after he received ‘life-saving treatment,’ he could go home six weeks later.
Dad, Jamie, said: “They were amazing – and always went that step further to make a worrying time better.
“Alfie was in hospital for my birthday and Father’s Day, and the NICU nurses made me cards with his little handprints.”
Now 6-years old, his parents say Alfie is ‘incredibly cheeky,’ and loves to swim and cheer on his football team, Crystal Palace.
Mum, Casey said: “Although he’s not able to talk, he’s learnt how to communicate through different noises, so we know when he’s happy, excited or sad. He’s just amazing.”
He is the star of Evelina London’s Christmas campaign – ‘Evelina Incredibles’ which is raising funds so the hospital can continue to support families and staff.
This includes funding training for play specialists to help reduce anxiety for children ahead of procedures, innovative equipment, and providing wellbeing zones for team members to rest.
Alfie’s family are supporting the campaign because of the support they got, not only when Alfie was first born, but when he still goes in for his routine treatment today. Casey will be taking part in the 2024 London Marathon for the Charity.
To donate to the campaign click here.