Warm-hearted Freya, 5, raises funds for miracle baby

Five-year-old Freya McKechnie’s touching hand-written poster underpins her determination to raise funds for the dedicated medical teams who treated a new-born baby.

The poster says simply: “I am raising money for Alder Hey, who looked after my friend Millie.

"I’m going to ride my scooter for five miles on December 22.

"Please, please can you give me some money.”

Millie’s mother, Jenni Burrows-Maynard, lives in Middleton with husband Alex and is a long-time friend of Freya’s mother, Jenny, who lives in Delph.

Millie was born at North Manchester General Hospital in October and Jenni, 30, relived the unfolding drama after her baby’s birth.

She said: “Millie was struggling to breathe.

"I then haemorrhaged and lost over a litre of blood. 

“She was taken to ICU and was intubated but, despite staff doing all they could, they didn’t have the facilities to help Millie and she had had limited oxygen for a prolonged period which could impact on her neurological functionality. 

“Her only option was ECMO - extracorpóreal membrane oxygenation - also known as extracorporeal life support (ECLS). 

“It is an extracorporeal technique of providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to persons whose heart and lungs are unable to provide an adequate amount of gas exchange or perfusion to sustain life.

“Eight hours hours after Millie was born she was transported to Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool and was on ECMO for six days.

“Once she was weaned off ECMO and stable she was then transferred to the Royal Oldham, where she spent three weeks in their neonatal intensive care unit, and then their nursery. 

“She was discharged initially with a feeding tube, but now she is a healthy and chatty baby.”

She added: “Millie’s neurological tests have come back normal and although we have follow-up care in the community and hospital, she is developing and hitting her milestones. 

“Millie inhaled meconium and so her lungs couldn’t work properly.

"The ECMO gave her lungs time to heal and for the meconium to be cleared from her lungs via drugs and suction.”

Freya’s mother took to social medía, saying: “I am posting this on the request of my very lovely and headstrong daughter Freya. 

“Freya would like your help to raise some money on behalf of her very very special new friend Millie. 

“Millie’s parents are our best friends and have been Freya’s honorary auntie and uncle from day one. 

“Miracle baby doesn’t quite cut it and the progress Millie has made is beyond incredible.

"She’s now at home ready to celebrate her first Christmas with her mummy and daddy.”

And she added: “Freya’s not daft, she knew something was wrong and she’s followed all my texts and calls with Millie’s mum.

"When she found out people had been raising money on Millie's behalf, she wanted to do the same.

“Current sponsors are more than £600 and we are completely blown away by everyone’s generosity.”

Millie’s mum declared: “Freya is an amazing little girl and a wonderful friend to Millie already.

"What she is doing is wonderful.”

To make a donation to the fund, please go to: PayPal.me/freyasfundraising

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