Young fundraiser, Lily, raises funds for hospital that saved her life

Lily Fitzpatrick was born on 25 March 2010 15 weeks premature and weighing a meagre 1lb 5oz, after having a brain haemorrhage at only a few days old she continued to receive treatment at Heartlands Hospital Neonatal Department and Birmingham Women’s Hospital. Despite Lily recovering well from the haemorrhage, she then contracted necrotising enterocolitis at six weeks old and was left struggling to breathe.

Fortunately for Lily and her parents, Lily is now fit, well and fundraising for Heartlands hospital, to give back to the hospital that helped her so many years ago.

Lily’s dad, Steve, said: “Lily has very long hair, right down past her bottom and she asked us if she could have it cut and donate it to the Little Princess Trust, who donate hair and in return get a wig for children with cancer.
My wife and I were so proud of her, and we suggested that she might like to get sponsors and donate the money to Heartlands as they helped her so much when she was a baby.”

The family set an ambitious fundraising target of £100 but smashed it within the first two hours, and has now raised almost £200. Lily is getting her hair cut on 2 June and is hoping to raise even more money before the big day.

Sian Averill, Fundraising Manager at Heartlands Hospital said: “Thank you to Lily for doing such an amazing thing for Heartlands Hospital, the money raised will go towards providing ‘added extras’ over and above what the NHS can afford for babies and families just like the Fitzpatricks.”

To support Lily you can donate here.