The heartbroken parents of a beautiful baby boy who died ‘treasured’ hours after he was born are getting help from a friend to raise funds to cover funeral costs and lost income.
The heartbroken parents of a beautiful baby boy who died ‘treasured’ hours after he was born are getting help from a friend to raise funds to cover funeral costs and lost income.
Theodore, who had a rare and lethal genetic disorder, was born at Birmingham Women’s Hospital on Thursday, July 10, weighing just 1lb and 1oz and died 23 hours later.
His parents, Jack Lenton, 27, and Whitney Lenton, 28, of Kempsey were glad to spend those precious hours with their son but now have to face both their loss and high costs as they prepare for a small, private family funeral for their boy.
Close friend Zoe Nicol has been supporting the family, with a GoFundMe page to help cover Theodore’s funeral costs and the loss of income over the last three months due to constant doctors’ appointments, including specialist foetal medicine appointments, and travel to Birmingham and also the need to take time off for the family to grieve.
Miss Nicol said: “At Whitney’s 20 week scan it was discovered that Theodore was not growing how he should be.
“As the weeks went on Whitney’s placenta started failing along with other complications. Despite this, Theodore thought hard to get to a viable birth weight. He beat the odds and expectations making it to 32 weeks and then having 23 treasured hours alive in the arms of those who love him most.
“Due to Jack being self-employed and the amount of time he’s had to take of over the last three months for doctors’ appointments (including specialist foetal medicine appointments), that Whitney could not attend alone or without Jack, they have gone through all their savings to make up for the loss off income. This has left them in a position where they don’t have the funds for funeral expenses or time off to grieve their loss.
“I’ve set up this GoFundMe to try and raise money to help ease the financial burden during this difficult time and to give Theodore the send off he deserves with a lovely headstone, flowers and car journey.
“I know that Whitney and Jack will be incredibly grateful for any donations during this heartbreaking time.”
