Feedback from our neonatal families
2019
We were overwhelmed with your gorgeous boxes!!
We have identical twin boys born at 30+5 days and will be in hospital for a while so they can grow bigger.
The boxes are just brilliant and so well thought out! We really loved it all.
The small premature clothes and nappies will come in massively when we are in hospital and the toiletries are great for using in my accommodation with the neonatal unit.
The attention to detail is great with the antibacterial gel and little chocolate boost! Thank you so much again!!
James Cook Hospital
Just wanted to say a huge thank you for our box’s. Our two beautiful twins were born Monday at 34+4 we are such proud parents with how much they are achieving in such little time.
It has been lovely to be gifted with clothes that fit them, so thank you so much, was such a beautiful gift to receive at such an emotional time.
So thank you for the time and effort that goes into those magical little boxes, they have been greatly appreciated.
|
Back in July we supplied a box to Shannon Holbrook and Matthew Beach from Birmingham. |
Hi there, we received one of your boxes last October when my son Noah was transferred to Luton. He was born at 29 weeks weighing just 680g. I’m sorry it’s taken this long to say thank you but your box was such a lovely & unexpected thing to receive & everything inside greatly appreciated (especially the clothes that actually fitted) & used at some point! I have kept the box to store all of Noah’s NICU memories too. As Noah approaches one I would like to sponsor a box to say thank you. Many thanks, Emma x
Sitting next to an incubator not knowing if it is going to be the most heartbreaking day of your life or the most memorable day of your life, tears streaming down your face and all sorts of horrid thoughts in your mind. Then a little box is delivered with love, you open it up and all you can think is wow! Someone somewhere knows exactly what we’re going through and has decided to try and make this unbelievably hard journey a little easier. Eyes wide and more tears as each item is carefully removed from the box. A chocolate bar, wow I need that, a pen I definitely need that, so many things to write down. A teeny tiny baby outfit, we can’t wait to see him wearing that. Lip balm, shower gel, hand cream, we really need that as we’ve been blue lighted to this strange, scary place. Then a letter, a truly heartfelt, heart breaking letter. THANK YOU, thanks for caring and thanks for sharing your journey. In that first moment we were alone, now we feel like we are not. ❤️
That’s the reason I donated, you make a difference every single day. Xxx” Lucy
The box was amazing & helped us no end, thank you”
Feedback received from Bedford NNU October 2019
Thank you to Danielle Hodges for sharing this beautiful photo of her little boy born at 32 week wearing his knitted items from their box. They fit perfectly
“Here is my daughter she was 3 weeks early weighing 4lb3oz she was on the neonatal unit at Milton Keynes for 8 days ..we received a Emily's star box and can't thank everyone who put the time and effort into making these wonderful boxes ..here is our little lady in her beautiful cardigan and hat that we received on our box |
|
|
This is my beautiful Annabel who was born 7 weeks early weighing 4lbs 14oz. We were totally unprepared and had nothing ready for her arrival. My husband received an Emily’s Star box at the Bedford Neonatal unit whilst I was still in theatre. It made those first few hours slightly less scary for him!! |
We recieved a neonatal box in the john Radcliffe in oxford. Our teeny girl was born 11 weeks early weighing 2lb 4, so it was such a thoughtful thing to receive at such a traumatic time. |
|
Thank you very much, it’s a lovely thoughtful thing you are doing for parents of premature babies... it was all very unexpected for us and we’ve been very lucky with our little boy. Hoping to be home soon. 🙂Thank you. “
Feedback received from Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. ⭐️
"Thank you very much! Really appreciate the kindness, amazing!"
Feedback received from Scunthorpe General Hospital.
Really appreciated the box as baby came early so unprepared, I wanted to bath my baby & was offered the box which was beautiful. Thought & effort gone into these boxes is much appreciated, thank you”
Feedback from Hull NICU, September 2019
We have just had our baby 6 weeks early at Macclesfield hospital. The Emily Star gift box we received was so wonderful , amongst all the chaos and worry it was the most fantastic thing to receive . Thank you so much"
Feedback received from Macclesfield
The clothes were amazing because our baby was discharged so much quicker than anticipated and we just weren’t ready... Thank you so much! ⭐️
Feedback from Bedford Hospital
Just want to say a huge thank you for our wonderful box we received at Milton Keynes NNU everything in was just what we needed and you could see how much thought & care had gone in to it. Thank you so much"
Feedback from a box received in Milton Keynes.
The contents of the box are fantastic and such a help at a time when it’s really needed.” |
“I loved this box! Really appreciated it. The baby clothes were amazing!! I didn’t know you could even buy clothes that small before opening it (3lb)” |
Thank you so much for this amazing box. It was such a lovely thing to do for others like me and my husband , to be given when having a baby in neonatal intensive care”
Feedback from Diana princess of Wales Hospital , Grimsby
Thank you so much , what a lovely idea. I understand what you say about finding clothes . My little girl was 2 pound 8 oz when born and it’s very hard to find clothes so thank you very much again “
Feedback from Burnley hospital
Thank you so much for the beautiful box and items I received after the birth of my son. what a lovely thing to do, it meant so much. It was a lovely box and helped me so much at a nervous time."
Feedback received from Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
This is the most generous gift to have been given, you are very inspiring parents & deserve all the happiness in the world. Emily would truly be so honoured to have you as parents & I am extremely sorry for your loss. It is individuals like yourselves that make the world a brighter place at such dark times"
Feedback received from Bedford Hospital. August 2019
A wonderful surprise, (the box) made me cry twice! |
Thank you so much!! I have now kept the box to use as his memory box so it will be treasured for many years to come." |
Was so lovely receiving this box, was very helpful and gave me an idea of where to buy such small clothes from”🌟f |
This is a lovely thing to do for premature babies and really helped and a lovely touch when things were quite difficult .” |
Thank you very much for the boxes we received from our twins, they arrived at 33+6 weeks & none of the clothes we had fit them & our hospital bag was not packed.
The boxes made the experience less stressful & we are really grateful
Feedback from Southend Hospital, June 2019
Thank you so much for the delivery of Emily’s Star boxes that arrived this week.
The micro boxes are lovely!
As always our parents are so grateful when they receive a box. The items make such a difference to them & their babies! You continue to do a fantastic job for all of us! Clare
Neonatal sister & developmental care lead at Birmingham Women’s
"Thank you, it was lovely to receive and extremely useful. xx" 🌟 |
“Fab box, helped a lot & appreciated it” |
What a fantastic and great quality gift box. Very helpful to have an appropriate size clothes available as estimated weight can be off" 🌟 |
"The box was amazing, the small clothes brought a tear to our eyes. Thank you so much for the amazing gift. Opening the box brought us so much joy and happiness. The work you do is amazing. Thank you" Feedback from the James Cook Hospital. |
"The box and its contents really made a difficult time for us a lot easier to cope with. If it wasn't for this box, Joseph wouldn't have had any clothes to fit him! Thank you so much xxx" |
"I was so pleased when I received my box and overwhelmed with everything inside it. This actually made me cry as to think Emily's Star was so thoughtful and it also cheered me up as I was having a bad day. Thank you so much xxx" |
Thank you so much for the gift box, the items were perfect and very thoughtful, our baby boy was born at 27 weeks weighing 2lbs, the premature milestone cards are so brilliant they made me cry!! Thank you so much for what you do xxxx " |
We thought the boxes were absolutely amazing! Didn't expect anything so to be donated what they were, we are very grateful ☺️🌟 |
It was such a lovely surprise, and so kind. Loved the milestones in particular." 🌟 |
"Me and my partner would just like to sat a really big thank you for our welcome box from the neonatal unit in James Cook Hospital. We received it for our little girl." |
I received an Emily star box at Scunthorpe General hospital. My little girl was born at 30 weeks weighing 3lb 9oz. |
"I gave birth to my twins at 29 weeks. We were still not prepared for their arrival, so the 2 boxes were gratefully received. They were unexpected, such lovely boxes and full of such useful things. Thank you so very much for them and for the work you do." |
Hi, just wanted to say thank you for our box that we received today for our little girl Lottie-Beau who was born on Sunday weighing 720 grams, your boxes are an incredible thing and it means the world to us. thank you again love Emma and Chris. xx” |
“Hi, just wanted to say thank you for our wonderful gift box which we received today. Our son Ralph was born in Hull Royal on April 29th weighing 1 lb 14oz. What a wonderful thing you do, thank you again x” |
“Thank you so much for our box, it was so helpful in a very stressful time. It was clear a lot of thought had gone into it. Thank you” |
"Absolutely brilliant idea, thank you so much” |
“Just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for our Emily’s star box. |
|
|
“Hi there. I just wanted to say such a massive thank you to you for our gift box that we received at the hospital. It’s been a god send 🙂 |
Having the baby clothes was so useful & really helped at a time when, as a new parent, you feel out of your depth about everything, not least having the right clothes to dress them in. It was a real source of comfort in those difficult times.
The bonding squares also were a very emotional part of those first few days, bringing a sense of purpose & control when you are feeling like most things are out of your hands, so many thanks.
Feedback from Stoke Mandeville Hospital
These boxes are such a great idea & was warmly welcomed at a time that was so stressful. Thank you for making these, you are making a huge difference.
The bonding squares became really important to us as a family.
Feedback from Milton Keynes NNU, February 2019
|
Meet the beautiful Georgie 💙 |
|
“A massive thank you for our box we received yesterday from the intensive care unit in the John Radcliff hospital, our baby boy Theodore was born 24weeks and 1 day weighing 1.10lbs the box brightened up our tough day and brought a massive smile to me and Gemma!” |
“Thank you so much, it came in very handy, I will treasure the box & show my little girl when she is older, you are stars, sleep tight Emily, love Hope & Amy “ 💖⭐️💖
Feedback from James Cook Hospital, Hope was born 22nd January 💖
“I didn’t know anything about these boxes, so when me & my partner received one we were very grateful for all the help, it’s an amazing idea”
Feedback from Southend Hospital
Baby born September 2018
“Me and my wife would like to say a massive thank you for our boxes.
We have had twins Phoebe and Oliver born at 34 weeks at the George Elliot hospital in Nuneaton and we can't thank you enough it really brightened up our day when we were feeling a bit down.
It's amazing what you are doing.
Thanks from Phoebe and Oliver too x”
Matthew
Thank you - brightened up our early days in NICU, made us smile & gave us positive things to think about & humbled us - so grateful
Unfortunately Eliza didn’t make it but fought for 7 weeks.
This box now holds all her bits & is her memory box
Sleep tight & Shine bright Eliza from us all at Emily’s Star
Feedback from the John Radcliffe Hospital⭐️💖
“Hi, me and my partner have just given birth to Everley Eira at 30+3weeks.
She is doing amazing and is a little fighter, we have just received your box and are overwhelmed.
We would like to thank you for this special gift and tell you how amazing you guys are for what you are doing ❤ love Stefan, Katie and Everley x”
2018
|
My daughter Lilly-Ann was born just over 8 weeks early on Christmas eve 2018 weighing 3lb 9oz. |
This is the most wonderful gift to have received during a stressful time, the thoughtful things within the box are just perfect, thank you.
Feedback received from St Richard Hospital in Chichester
My husband & I wasn't expecting our baby to arrive 3 months early so having some VERY small clothes was so helpful.
Just a big thank you to Emily's parents & all at Emily's Star for allowing us this box, very much apricated.
Feedback received from Southend Hospital - November 2018 (box received September 2018)
This box was so helpful & thank you for providing these boxes they are perfect for babies
Feedback from Warrington General Hospital - November 2018
“Thought the box was a wonderful idea - what a legacy for Emily!
The knitted items are beautiful, the bonding squares are amazing & something you would never think of yourself”
Feedback received from George Elliot Hospital - October 2018
“Thank you so much for this box it was a lovely gift & Isabella will love all that is in it, this box is a very thoughtful gift”
Feedback received today from Southend University Hospital - October 2018
“Just a quick message to say a huge thank you for the wonderful box we received when our gorgeous Phoebe was born at 35 weeks weighing 4lb.
We were blown away by the generosity and care that went into the box and it made a tough time in neonatal much easier.
Thank you for all that you do and every good wish for the future” Vicki
|
This is Theo, he was born at 29+6 after his waters went 60 hours earlier. Both he and his mummy developed nasty infections and he was delivered by emergency c-section. He weighed a tiny 2lb 6oz, and here he is at 11 days old in his vest from one of your 3lb mini gift bags.to edit.
Thank you Katie and team, for all you do in memory of Emily ⭐ |
Thank you for our box, it really helped during the hardest time of our lives. Here is Alfie wearing the Emily Star outfit and using the milestone cards from the box. We will be making a donation soon. Thank you again xx |
|
|
Hello, I just wanted to say a massive thank you! Me and my daughter Dottie received a neonatal box this evening and it truly is amazing, it made me tear up! |
Hi,
I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing job you do with making the boxes for the neonatal unit. We had our baby, Noah, 5 weeks ago, he was born 7 weeks early.
We had absolutely nothing to fit him, and your box was an absolute god send and completely unexpected.
You really have thought of everything, the clothes for baby are gorgeous, and the little touches like the toiletries for mum and chocolate for dad are lovely.
I will definitely be making a donation for a box to help another family 😀
Thank you💗
Mummy to Noah - June 2018
|
Hello, my daughter Bella was born at 28 weeks on he 6th february 2017 weighing 2lb 14oz. The boxes you donate are so so lovely and helpful. They include everything you need to start the scary Nicu journey! Bella is now 16 months and I still can't believe how tiny she was when she was born. I have kept her first vest she wore and framed it along with her other keepsakes 😊. Thank you again I really appreciated it! 😊x” |
Stacey - May 2018
Good morning
I just want to say from the bottom of my heart thank you so much! I received one of the boxes you’ve put together for the neonatal unit that my little girl is in and we’ve just opened it and it’s absolutely overwhelming.
Yes she’s doing really well so far thank you. Early days but all positive so far. She was born at 29 weeks weighing 1lb 13oz and has put 3oz on in her first week taking her upto 2lb so she’s doing well.
Out of intensive care now and onto high dependency.
We can’t thank you enough. It’s put a smile on our faces.
Xxxx”
Laura - May 2018
Tuliza Marie - May 2018
|
Thank you so much for the boxes you provide for the NICU. We received ours this morning after our son was born 6weeks early weighing 3lb15oz. |
|
Thank you so much for everything you do. Our grandaughter Amelia Mae was born 7 weeks early on 21st March weighing 3lb 2oz at Lister and received one of your amazing boxes, we are so grateful for everything that was in it. She is now a healthy 8 week old and weighing in at 6lb 1oz. Thank you Emily's Star 💕 |
We received one of your boxes in May 2017 at Bedford Hospital when our daughter Mollie was born 7 weeks prematurely. Everything in the box was so thoughtful and helpful. The bonding squares were so special as the amount of time I could hold Mollie was very limited. We were so surprised and touched by the box, it made a difficult time that bit easier. I’ve attached a picture of Mollie when she was born with the bonding squares and a recent picture of her.
We think the work you do in your daughters memory is wonderful and very inspiring. We are looking forward to the fun run and raising money to help Emily’s Star.
Sarah - May 2018
|
|
Nicole - April 2018
|
Received a box today from your amazing charity. |
I just want to message you to say thank you for the beautiful box we got given to us for a baby girl, your a true inspiration, thank you ” |
|
|
This is Lucy born 11th March at 26weeks 2days weighing 2lb. She is in James Cook hospital they do amazing work there looking after her. And your charity is lovely too I will defo be donating to help use out. |
Hi,
I have just received a premature baby box from the neo natel at james cook hospital, I was so taken back, my first thought to my husband was I didn't want to take one, as I felt like I was taking it away from someone who needs it, but then I stepped back from my babies cot, and realised we are the type of family you aim at.
Seth is now 3 weeks old, but he is typically only 27 weeks, he was born at 24+2 gestation, weighting just 1lb 9oz, he is doing absolutely fantastic he is on steroids to help his lung development so fingers crossed he'll be of the venterlater in the next week, and his weight has shot up to 2lb 1 Oz,
I secretly hope he hope he is too big to fit in your tiny baby grows I have got in his box, and he becomes a little sumo, but he's definitely to small for then now, and he can't have clothes on intensive care, but can't wait to dress Him in the clouds baby grows, and the little Cardigan is just to cute.
honestly you have thought of everything in the box and it's such a amazing charity, thank you for Brightening up my day, honestly what you have done is a amazing, i have tried to thank the nurses doctors and midwives at the hospital with chocolates and biscuits but nothing comes close to how much I own them for saving my " little foot" he is getting bigger and stronger everyday and that's down to all of them, but now I have seen your charity I can help this way and help others who are going through the same thing,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, ❤❤❤”
Lindsey - April 2018
My little boy Lochlann was born on Monday at 37 weeks weighing 4 pounds and we today received the gorgeous gift box from Emily's Star. |
|
|
My little solider was born 3rd January 2018 at 32 weeks. I loved the box that I received as I hadn't even thought about maybe my little one coming early so I didn't have a thing at all for his weight which was 3lb 4oz. Thank you so much for all you do. It really is amazing and appreciated. Xx |
What you do is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t help but cry when I received mine. The effort that goes into the boxes is wonderful. I am so grateful for mine and was so excited when I was told I could put my baby in clothes. There was no panic or worry that I didn’t have anything to fit her so thank you 😘 |
|
|
This is my beautiful baby girl in her vest from your box they are absolutely beautiful thank you so much ❤️ we really appreciate it.” |
2017
Our beautiful Jack was born on 15/11/17 at 27+2 days.
We've already experience a roller coaster of emotions over the past 9 days, but my husband and I were so touched upon receiving our super box from Emily's Star. Thank you so much for such a kind and touching gift - we had never heard of the charity prior to Jacks birth but will certainly be supporting you in the future.
Many thanks for bringing a smile to our faces at such a difficult times.”
Phill and Nikki - November 2017
Hi .... on the 1st November I have birth to Harry and Isabelle 9 weeks early....
I have struggled so much to find clothes to for the twins especially our little Harry as he is just 2lb 7oz....
I was introduced to Emily's star and given your amazing boxes for each of them...
Me and my husband would just like to thank you for the boxes and the thought that has gone into them....
The clothes are definitely going to be out to use....
Thank you again
Emma - November 2017
|
On March 31st this year, our little girl Nyx was born at 30+3 weeks weighing just 2lbs 14oz at Stoke Mandeville hospital, Aylesbury. |
|
We were taken delivery of our son last Wednesday and he is currently in NICU at Birmingham Women’s Hospital. |
This box was a god send when my son came out at 34 weeks weighing 4lb 3.
Thanks to you my son had some clothes that fitted until I was able to get him some”
Received at Bedford hospital 17th September 2017
|
Well it's been a whole year today since we received our Emily's Star box full of things for me and my little man at the John Radcliffe NICU 💙 although he was no where near big enough to fit these clothes we still was so grateful we had clothes small enough when he was ready! On the left is my 1lb 6oz 27 weeker when he finally fit his vest at 3 months old and this is him on the right today...13 months old and weighs 16lbs 14oz 😊 thank you Emily's Star...you really are a star 🌟 |
Just to say a huge thank you for our 5lb girl box given to us today for our daughter who is currently in the L&D NICU. |
I just wanted to message you because my son was born 11 weeks early and I was given one of your boxes for us, thank you so much the clothes, the knitted clothes everything honestly it's made me well up even writing this you help so many people you really do, thank you again. Xxxx" |
|
"I just wanted to share a picture of our beautiful miracle with one of the milestone cards that came in your beautiful boxes. |
|
"Hello |
|
"Hiya i had my daughter 5 weeks early and now shes 6 months old i loved your box you sent out and really helped me out, what a lovely thing you are doing and god bless Emily! So grateful and thankful for everything you and James Cook Hospital done for my baby here a photo from then and now thank you so much u doing amazing job xx" |
|
"Hi, I am just messaging to say a HUGE thank you from myself, my partner Darren and our son Denny. |
Darcy
|
Thank you so much for my Emily's star box ! My daughter was in the neonatal unit at Milton Keynes hospital, she was full term but had inhaled meconium and was in an incubator for a week , I was so overwhelmed when I received the box and I found the bonding squares so useful and comforting thank you so much xx |
For Milton Keynes hospital only we provide boxes for babies born at full term but poorly. These boxes contain everything a normal box does just no clothes
"I would just like to say a huge thank-you to your charity for the Emily's star box we received when our little girl was at the Milton Keynes NNU....
She was born weighing 5lb 8oz and had a lot of problems but I can't explain just how nice it was to receive the box with the lovely gifts inside for myself and my little girl one thing that got me most upset when she was born along side her health was that I didn't even have an item of clothing to fit her as she was so very tiny but thanks to your donation I was able to put her in one of your lovely pink outfits and I just can't explain how nice that was although it was something small it brought a little bit of normality back into our lives just being able to dress our baby as that was the only thing we we're able to-do, and although she was taken away from me at birth due to her health the minute I was able to dress her I felt the connection I thought I had lost but it was the first thing I could do for her! So thank you all again and we shall be attending the next meeting locally to help prepare these beautiful boxes for another family who may need them as much as we did💖"
Elora - April 2017
Ariyla-Issabell
Skyla-Rae
|
Hi. I had my little girl on 26/04/2017 who was born at 27 weeks & 5days gestation. She was a teeny tiny 2lb 4oz. |
"I said thank you before but I want to say it again. |
|
Thank you so much for the box I received in Luton & Dunstable NICU.
Absolutely overwhelmed when I walked over to my daughters incubator and saw a big beautiful white box waiting for me.
My little girl was born 30/03/2017 weighing only 724g. I couldn't wait to see her in clothes and not just oversized nappies & thanks to Emily's star box I only had to wait 4 weeks to finally see her dressed.
At 2.5lbs we finally got her into her first baby grow and she looked beautiful.
We use the hand knitted bonding squares everyday and have cuddles with her matching blanket. Thank you so much for the generous gift, lots of love mummy & Edie
Sophie - March 2017
Edie
Thank you so much for the Emily's Star Box we received for my son.
He was born on the 19th February 2017 at 27 weeks gestation.
We had been transferred to the John Radcliffe from Milton Keynes as an emergency the day before so I had nothing packed for him and only minimal items for me. ...
When I unwrapped the box (it was packaged so beautifully) the tiny 3lb clothes which at the time were still too big for my son made me cry.
What an amazing thing you do for so many families.
It's lovely when you're in such a scary situation the fact that someone has thought of you and put effort in to making such a difficult time that little bit easier as everything in the box is useful.
We got transferred back to Milton Keynes 11 days later where we stayed until yesterday as we finally got to bring our little boy home.
Thank you again, in times like these it's the little things that make the biggest difference x
Hannah - February 2017
Noah
2016 & before.....
I had my little Stanley on the 4th of March 2016, I had pre-eclampsia. He was born at 31 weeks and weighed 3lb 4oz so was rushed straight away to the neonatal unit.
hen we first received the Emily's star box, we both just couldn't believe that we were getting all this amazing stuff for free.
I showed every relative that came and saw me when I was in hospital and they all thought it was amazing...I had heard of Emily's star but didn't really know much about it if I'm honest. I remember seeing the tiny baby clothes a few weeks before and I remember thinking "oh I hope I never need to get them" but when they were in the Emily's star box I'd never been so grateful.
Stanley's first ever outfit was one of the beige vests in the box and I always remember it.
We used the cuddle diary to fill out times when I had been to visit him when I was still on the ward myself, it made me feel so much closer to him (even though he was only down the hall) and that cuddle diary is now in his memory box forever.
Two of my most favourite things in the Emily's star box were the comfort squares which I thought was such an amazing idea and again, made me feel closer to Stan and made me feel like we were bonding even when we were apart.
My other favourite thing was the mini toiletry kit for myself, being rushed to hospital suddenly and not having any sort of over night bag, it was an absolute GODSEND!!!
The whole box was just amazing and I can't thank you enough for providing it at such a worrying time when I couldn't even think straight, let alone remember to ask someone to bring me toiletries/tiny baby clothes! Stanley was in the unit for 5 weeks and 2 days and we finally took him home weighing 4lb 11oz. He is now 5 months old and doing amazing :) Jessica Green
Hi, My name is Kelly.
Early 2016 I gave birth to my 4th baby boy by emergency c-section! He was very poorly at first and ended up in NNU at Milton Keynes. Myself and my husband were petrified and I didn't have a clue what to do, everything We knew as parents and I knew as a mother went out of the window, after working on him for nearly 30 mins in the theatre the took him away! Barley stopping for me to see him, let alone touch him. The next 6 hrs were some of the scariest in my life as I still hadn't seen him (except a picture) all I could do is try to wake my legs up so I could get to him. When I finally got to him I was relived to be with him but horrified to see my poor baby lying there with so many tubes, cannulas and things stuck to him and in him.
We were told that he was going to be a big baby and at first he weighed a great amount at 6lb 1oz, he looked so small to us but like a monster compared to his roommates, he quickly lost the weight though and by the next day was 5lb 3oz. Seeing him even smaller was another shock, I couldn't help but cry!
That's when one of the amazing nurses came over and handed us a box!!! We opened our box and I cried a little more but had a smile, I saw clothes that would fit my boy, toiletries for him and me and so many other beautiful things. Thank you.
We're in ore of you and your strength, your doing amazing things and helping so many people in the name of your beautiful little angel. It's hard to explain how your box made me feel, it certainly made a huge difference to what we were going though and I can never thank you enough for that.
We're using his Emily's star box as his memory box, as that will be just as much of a fond and sacred memory as anything that's held in it. We could never thank you enough .....
Kelly Avery - 2016
When my waters broke at exactly 26 weeks I was taken from my hometown Milton Keynes via ambulance to Luton & Dunstable Hospital as they were able to care for babies from the earlier gestation. Our son arrived 4 days later weighing 2lbs2oz and whilst things were a bit overwhelming and fragile at times we grew to trust the doctors and nurses who cared for him there. Once Owen had become more stable after a few weeks we were then transferred via ambulance back to Milton Keynes Hospital. I remember sitting by his incubator in the new hospital, looking at all the new surroundings then one of the nurses came into the room with a blue box. In big writing it had "Emily's Star" written on the lid. I opened it up to find many treasures, clothes our baby boy could actually fit into, mini toilettres for the special day when we could "room in" , a journal to write in and most special of all a letter telling us all about Emily. I read it to Owen and was amazed by Emily's story, her family , her courage and the love and support we felt all from this little box. A box full of hope.
Vanessa Lever
I just want too thank you for your charity as i had my little man at 33 weeks and was welcomed with an Emily's Star box .. it brought me comfort and was a beautiful gift ...
It really was a comfort you never realise what toiletries like shampoo and soap, toothbrush and paste mean too you untill you go through labour .
Tracee Metcalfe
Our son Archie was born on 4th Nov 2013 at MK General, he was due Xmas eve so was 7weeks early. He weighed 5lbs 10 so a great weight but like most Prem babies he had his complications. The first 48 hours were extremely traumatic, I was barely mobile due to the emergency cesarean which had to be performed after having a placenta abruption.
We rushed to the hospital and had nothing prepared for baby or Myself and within 2 hours, Archie was out!
One comfort in the first 2 days was this amazing box that was handed to us in the Neo Natal unit, with all the bad news and worries we had to start with, it was so nice to feel like someone out there had thought about the little things that we didn't have with us but might need.
We just want to thank you for this amazing gift we recieved, it helped us very much during those first few days until we found our feet again.
Gemma Goodship - November 2013