Baby James leaves legacy

Nichole Taylor and Will Norris were able to spend a few precious days with little James after he was born almost three months early in September.

The couple, from Southlands, Kirkham, made special memories with their first-born in the bereavement suite at the Sharoe Green Maternity Unit at the Royal Preston Hospital.

But it was their time in the normal maternity ward shortly after Nichole, 27, gave birth, which they struggled to cope with, as they could hear the cries of healthy newborns in neighbouring rooms.

As previously reported, the couple are throwing their weight behind a campaign to sound-poof all 12 of the maternity rooms.

So far, the pair have raised £3,000 in just a few weeks, and are now more determined than ever to raise £7,500 in total – enough to sound-proof one of the rooms.

Nichole, a life educator at Lancashire Life Education, said: “For us, James’s life purpose was to leave a legacy.”

James was diagnosed with a lethal skeletal dysplasia in the womb, which meant due to a lack of bone development in his ribs, it would not support his tiny lungs.

The pair feel ‘lucky and grateful’ that they got to meet their son, and now want to thank the staff who supported them, and help boost the project led by the Baby Beat Appeal charity based at the hospital.

Money generated by Nichole and fiancé Will, 26, a teacher at Pear Tree School in Kirkham, has come from donations as well as a collection at James’s funeral.

Nichole said: “His funeral was perfect; it was a celebration of James and was full of colour.”

The couple are organising an ‘Angel Charity Ball’ set for February at Ribby Hall, and on Friday, November 20, there will be a charity night at the Queens pub in Kirkham in support of their fund-raising.

Companies known to the couple, such as INENCO in Lytham and Inspired Energy are also backing the cause with various sponsored events.

Visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/angeljames to find out more, and to donate.