Premature baby boys turned thriving toddlers inspire final neonatal unit event

A HUGE campaign of fundraising by the families of two premature baby boys to help the Southampton neonatal unit which saved their lives will end with a third epic event.

Two previous Helping Reggie and Evan give something back events have raised more than £63,000 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Princess Anne Hospital.

A third event for 250 guests will take place at Southampton Harbour Hotel on October 14.

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Reggie Sturgess was born unresponsive at 26 weeks in November 2020, weighing just 2lbs. He had to be ventilated twice and spent 13 weeks in hospital.

Evan Phillips came into the world at 29 weeks in January 2021, weighing 2lbs 8oz.

He was put on a ventilator and spent nine agonising weeks in the same incredible neonatal unit.

Both toddlers are now thriving.

Mums Kate and Hazel dreamed up the previous two sold out celebrations, which were attended by a host of neonatal nurses with the boys as guests of honour.

Kate is now organising a third and final shindig with soon to be announced arena standard entertainment being flown in from abroad.

A bumper set of auction prizes will include a trip to Paris for two, tickets to see Lewis Capaldi live in concert in 2024, a signed Saints shirt by the player of your choice and a lodge stay.

Raffle ticket holders are also in with a chance of scooping a week-long P&O cruise, West End theatre tickets, a PS5 games console, a Champagne helicopter ride and a coffee machine.

Tiny Saints fans Reggie and Evan captured the imagination of Saints defender Lyanco as well as ex Saints who donated prizes in the build up to last year's event.

The incredible haul from the events has so far been spent on much-needed equipment including three state of the art baby mannequins for training purposes, two of them named Reggie and Evan, plus Costa gift cards to treat neonatal parents and baby grows for angel babies.

Any businesses wishing to donate a prize should contact Kate by email at [email protected]