The parents of a baby boy who lived for just four days are holding a fundraising event for the hospital that helped him.<\/p>\n
Westgate-on-Sea residents Max and Kiah Bell\u2019s son, Alexander, was born prematurely at QEQM Hospital in March 2024.<\/p>\n
Westgate couple Max and Kiah Bell’s son, Alexander, died at just four days old. Picture: Max Bell Herne Bay<\/p>\n
He had a severe heart condition, and the couple had to make the devastating decision to withdraw his life support.<\/p>\n
The little one was cared for mostly in the NICU at Evelina Children\u2019s Hospital in London, and the couple were also supported by Ronald McDonald House.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, they are holding a fundraising event at The Pub in Herne Bay, with live music, food and a raffle.<\/p>\n
Mr Bell, 24, told KentOnline: \u201cFor his 4 days on this earth, the NICU staff at the Evelina were incredible.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey did everything they could to make him comfortable and also provide us with opportunities to spend time with him.<\/p>\n
Max and Kiah Bell, from Westgate, are holding the event at The Pub in Herne Bay on Sunday. Picture: Max Bell<\/p>\n
\u201cHe showed so much personality. He was mischievous.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will always remember how he would try to pull on his breathing tube or kick his legs, how he would open his eyes when listening to lullabies, or the feeling of his little hand gripping our fingers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so lucky to have met him, and words cannot express the love we felt for our darling boy.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoctors said his condition was not compatible with life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to make the decision when it was time. It\u2019s the hardest thing I\u2019ve ever had to do, but we didn\u2019t want to prolong any suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander was cared for by staff at Evelina Children’s Hospital in London. Picture: Max Bell Herne Bay Westgate-on-Sea<\/p>\n
The tiny baby was diagnosed with congenital heart block, pulmonary atresia and tricuspid atresia – where the valves around the organ have not yet formed – and had a heart rate of just 50 to 60 bpm.<\/p>\n
Tragically, he was not strong enough for heart surgery, having been born at just 28 weeks.<\/p>\n
His death was made even more heartbreaking, as the couple had suffered with infertility and miscarriages before falling pregnant with Alexander.<\/p>\n
At the hospital, they were given a separate room so that other families could visit.<\/p>\n
A photographer also came, premature baby clothes were provided, and they were given a memory box of baby grows, footprints and various medical wearables, such as ECG stickers and oxygen cuffs.<\/p>\n
The event will be held at The Pub in Herne Bay High Street. Picture: Google<\/p>\n
Mr Bell, who works as a chef at Cinque Ports in Margate, recalled: \u201cHe was always loved, not just by us but also by the incredible staff that looked after him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The couple held a similar event last year and are hoping to raise more funds for the hospital\u2019s charity.<\/p>\n