'We made her a promise' - Fleetwood mum takes on daring wing walk for charity to keep baby's memory alive
“In her short life, Maeva showed more courage and strength than most of us will ever know.”
When Carley and Martin Cowburn’s new born baby took her last breath they made her a special promise.
The Fleetwood couple told their baby girl, Maeva, who died at just 11 days-old, they would do everything they could to keep her name and her memory alive.
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And they are keeping that promise.
They have already done marathons and 10k’s raising a staggering £15k for Baby Beat - the neonatal unit that cared so beautifully for Maeva - and now Carley is going to do a wing walk.
Maeva Elsie was born on June 8 2023 at 33 weeks following complications during pregnancy.
Through extensive testing, the couple received the devastating news that Maeva had a very rare condition called KabukiSyndrome - a rare genetic disorder.
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She also developed Non-Immune Fetal Hydrops before she was born and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)
Carley explained: “When Maeva arrived, she was very poorly, but she showed incredible strength from the very beginning and despite everything she faced, she fought so hard.
“Tragically, at just 8 days old, Maeva developed E. coli sepsis. After continuing to fight for a further 54 hours, she passed away peacefully in our arms on June 19.”
Carley has now set a new fundraising target of £4,000 through Go Fund Me - launched on what would have been Maeva’s third birthday - to complete ‘A Wing Walk In Maeva’s Memory’.
It will take place in Leeds, at Ethel Dares WingWalking and Carley will be strapped to the wing of an aeroplane for the daring flight.
The flight season runs until mid November and she hopes to reach her target during this season, otherwise it will be next year.
There will also be raffles throughout.
Every penny raised will be split equally between Lumiere Charity and Tigerlily Trust in Lancaster, both of which support families facing neonatal loss.
“These charities provide incredible support to families facing the unimaginable,” said Carley, “and it means so much to be able to give something back in Maeva’s name.”
“In her short life, Maeva showed more courage and strength than most of us will ever know.
“She made her Daddy and I endlessly proud, and she is loved more than words could ever express.