Mum’s £2,900 concert fundraiser after loss
Date of release: 21 March 2024
A mum who lost her baby daughter and nursed her son following his premature birth has helped raised nearly £3,000 for Wolverhampton’s Neonatal Unit where both were cared for.
From left, Sharlene Wright, Kerry Harnett, Amanda Winwood, and from Bethel All Saints Apostolic Church – Jeremy Grant (JezPoetic), Pearl Laird, and Pastor Paul Francis
Sharlene Wright, 38, held a community fundraiser at Bethel All Saints Apostolic Church in Parkfields.
After beating the initial target of £1,000, the amount stood at £2,050 before an anonymous donor generously match-funded the JustGiving total by adding £885 to make it up to £2,935.
Poetry by JezPoetic, gospel music and inspirational stories were enjoyed at the event, which was attended by Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre and Ms Lynn Plant, the Mayor and Mayoress of Wolverhampton.
Sharlene, of Goldthorn Park, gave birth to daughter Anaya via emergency caesarean on her due date of 4 February, 2022 at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital.
Anaya, who weighed 7lbs 7oz, was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with breathing difficulties but died a day later in Sharlene’s arms, surrounded by her husband John and family.
“She didn’t cry out when she was born so her lungs didn’t expand,” said Sharlene, who works in business development for the National Autistic Society.
“We were afforded the privacy to bring family in and pray for Anaya, and Carole Sadler, our Bereavement Midwife, gave us wonderful support.”
Almost exactly a year later, Sharlene gave birth to son Lucas, who arrived 12 weeks early on 3 February, 2023, also via caesarean.
Lucas weighed little more than a bag sugar – 2lbs 7oz – and spent 66 days on the Neonatal Unit.
“We had the same Consultant, Dr Anu (Dr Anurada Subramanien, Obstetric Consultant), and lots of staff remembered us from our previous experience, so they were very understanding and supportive,” added Sharlene.
“If Lucas had been born 23 minutes later, he would have shared the same birthday as Anaya.
“Lucas was being fed through a tube and me and my husband John were taught to change and wash him while in the incubator.”
Once discharged, Lucas was slowly weaned off oxygen, at home. A little brother to Asher, aged five, he is now thriving.
Sharlene is part of a planning team at Bethel, headed by Shereen Bryan, a former Midwife at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. They had the idea of a fundraising event, titled ‘Let Everything That Hath Breath Praise the Lord’ Psalm 150, verse 6.
“I’d never heard of the unit until our experiences,” said Sharlene.
Among the speakers at the concert were Kerry Harnett, Senior Sister on the Neonatal Unit at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT), and Sharlene’s lifelong friend Sangeeta Mastani.
Kerry said: “On behalf of the Neonatal Unit I thank Sharlene, Bethel All Saints Apostolic Church and all involved in the event.
“It was an evening full of hope, thanks and belief. It is humbling to witness how communities we serve continue to support our unit.
“The amount raised far exceeded the original target, which is amazing. The money will help the unit, the babies and their families who experience a neonatal journey.”
Sangeeta was on the unit at the same time as Sharlene and gave birth to daughter Nanaki, now 16 months old.
Amanda Winwood, RWT Charity Development Manager who received the donation, said: “We are so grateful to Sharlene and her church family for wanting to give back and support other families going through the same experience and help to make a difference.”
Donations are still welcome to the fundraiser, at Crowdfunding to Support the NHS, Royal Wolverhampton Trust (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) on JustGiving
ENDS
- For further information, please call Tim Nash on 07714 741097 or email tim.nash2@nhs.net
