Premature tot's parents back Bristol's Big Give

Born three months premature and weighing 1.4lbs, his tiny life hung in the balance for weeks but thanks to the work of those at Bristol Children's Hospital Matthew Bane celebrates a 19-month milestone today.

The date is a landmark in the calendar of the Weston-super-Mare family and also coincides with the first day of Bristol's Big Give, a three-day radio broadcast to raise funds for Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal.

From today, Bristol's Heart breakfast team will set up a temporary studio in the hospital for a three-day broadcast marathon where listeners will be invited to tune in and make a donation.

It was a complete shock to mum Deborah, 42, when she started experiencing labour pains at 26 weeks. Both she and her husband Darren, 40, had planned the next three months of her pregnancy and hadn't even decorated the nursery.

Matthew was born with severe chronic lung disease and metabolic bone disease and ended up spending some six months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at St Michael's Hospital, part of Children's Services.

Mr Bane said: "It was an emotional rollercoaster ride, particularly during the critical early weeks. During those early weeks, Debs was given a room within NICU so she could visit Matthew any time of night or day, for as long as she wanted, which was a great comfort to her, and this, in turn, helped me.

"When Debs did start coming home, staff made it very clear that if she needed to call 20 times a night to check on our son, then she could – no matter what time.

"During some of the darker moments, staff always made time to sit down with us and explain exactly what was going on and what treatment plans they had for Matthew."

The couple said they thought they might never be able to take Matthew home but on Remembrance Sunday in November 2008 they were granted their wish.

Mr Bane said: "Although we were home, the care from NICU did not stop.

"We had regular visits from the home team and also had to return to St Michael's for follow-up appointments.

"Six or seven of the people who played a vital role in caring for Matthew are now among our Facebook friends, so that they can see how well he is progressing."

On April 25 this year Matthew was finally taken off the oxygen supply and while he has not developed in the same way that a non-premature 19-month-old would have done, he is doing well. He has started crawling and loves baby books and Doctor Who.

"Not one day goes by where we do not realise how very lucky we are to have Matthew with us," Mr Bane added.

"Our heartfelt thanks go again to everyone who provided us with support and helped Matthew and I would urge people to support the Big Give appeal.

"Every penny of your donations has made a significant difference to families like mine, and to babies like Matthew. Thank you all."

Bristol's Big Give takes place on December 3, 4 and 5. To make a donation call the Big Give Donation Line on 0117 929 8888 or donate online at www.heartbristol.co.uk.

Cash donations can be made in the main foyer of the Bristol Children's Hospital and at the collection point in Cabot Circus shopping centre.