Children's TV stars become best of friends with NNU

We're delighted to let you know that Chris Jarvis, cbeebies presenter, and Michael 'Abs' Absalom and Ortis Deley, currently presenting CBBC's most popular programme 'Best of Friends', have lent massive support to The Friends of the Neonatal Unit at St George's by becoming patrons of the charity.





It is wonderful to have such high profile celebrities on board, and it is great for the older siblings of babies on the NNU to know that the Unit has the support of TV personalities well known to them.

The Friends of the Neonatal Unit at St George's celebrates 10 years as a charity in 2008, and is currently raising money to fund a ventilator, 2 transport monitors and 4 phototherapy units for the NNU. The charity has been adopted as one of the 3 charities to benefit from The Balham and Tooting Carnival in August.

Sophie Graham - an inspiration to all NNU graduates

If you're a parent of a premature or sick baby then you'll have spent a lot of time worrying about what the future holds. For one Neonatal Unit graduate, the future has meant running the Great North Run, and raising money for the unit that cared for her when she was born.

Sophie Graham is an inspiration. Not only did she complete the Great North Run last September, she's also a keen swimmer - she completed her 2000m badge last year - and a rookie life guard. And she likes surfing too! According to Mum Vicki and Dad Martin, she's 'incredible'.

Sophie was born with Polycythemia, which meant she had too many red blood cells. She needed an immediate blood transfusion and had jaundice and very low blood sugar. It was 10 days before her parents could take her home. Mum Vicki remembers a frightening time:"Only later did I realise how important 'The Friends of the Neonatal Unit' at St George's was to us and to other parents. You give them comfort at times of great confusion and fear."

And what next for Sophie? Her determination continues to shine and she often tells her parents they'll be watching her swimming for England at the Olympics - so watch this space!