A North East mum who endured the loss of her baby son within hours of his birth has spoken out on her heartbreak.
Thomas Nichols and Katie Johnson’s baby boy Ronnie was born on the night of June 16, but he tragically died in his parents' arms the following morning.
He had been cared for at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, but had sadly died following umbilical cord complications.
Now, just weeks after his devastating death, Katie has thrown herself into fundraising for the South Tees Hospitals Charity to thank all those who cared for Ronnie.
Katie, 31, from Great Ayton, has already raised an incredible £7,205 for the hospital charity and is training hard for the Middlesbrough 10k in September.
She often takes Ronnie’s comforter on her training runs along with a picture of him in her arm wallet.
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Describing the moments after Ronnie’s birth and the realisation he was unwell as a ‘blur of both delirium and fear’, Katie said: “Ronnie was born, he was alive, he was loved, but it started to become clear that he could not stay.
“The neonatal team worked endlessly through the night to improve his condition.
“They say to expect sleep deprivation with a new born, and we did, but not for the reasons we expected.
“We spent the night going between the midwifery delivery suite and the neonatal unit.
“We cuddled him, we cradled him, we prayed for him, but it wasn’t enough.
“By sunrise on the Friday morning, we faced the most difficult decision a parent can make, and agreed to withdraw active treatment and keep Ronnie comfortable.
“We knew this meant we wouldn’t have long with him, but if our love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.”
Katie and Thomas were taken to a quiet room to spend their last peaceful moments with Ronnie and Katie said they were moments the couple 'will always cherish'.
She added: “We felt his chest rise and fall for the last time, we heard the small crackle of his last inhale as he took his last breath, all the time looking at his innocent little face, so peaceful and perfect.
“We try to find reassurance in that, we hope he could feel our love and affection, and that’s why he looked at peace.
“It took some time after for his heart to stop beating, and when it did, our hearts shattered.”
Despite having to go through such a devastating experience, Katie says the family were grateful for small comforts that were provided thanks to charity funding.
These included a cooling mat to make Ronnie more comfortable and a recording of his heartbeat on a device placed inside a soft toy, along with a memory box of keepsakes.
Katie hopes that the thousands she is raising for the hospital charity will go towards funding similar initiatives that can offer some solace to others going through such a heart-breaking experience.
She said: “Before I went into labour I remember reading an article about a lady who was fundraising for James Cook after losing her daughter.
"I was really affected by it, but not at a single point while reading the story did I think it was something that would happen to us.
"I know fundraising won't bring him back, I wish I was fundraising for a machine to bring him back, but some of the keepsakes we were given were funded through charities like Maisie's Hope so if I can help them to help others I will."
She added: "There are some days I can barely walk because I'm so grief-stricken and I find myself clung to a lampost, but I think by running I know I am raising money and I'm doing it for a purpose.
"It's the only purpose I can find at the moment."
To support Katie's campaign, visit her Just Giving page
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