The parents of a baby boy who lived for just four days are holding a fundraising event for the hospital that helped him.
Westgate-on-Sea residents Max and Kiah Bell’s son, Alexander, was born prematurely at QEQM Hospital in March 2024.
He had a severe heart condition, and the couple had to make the devastating decision to withdraw his life support.
The little one was cared for mostly in the NICU at Evelina Children’s Hospital in London, and the couple were also supported by Ronald McDonald House.
On Sunday, they are holding a fundraising event at The Pub in Herne Bay, with live music, food and a raffle.
Mr Bell, 24, told KentOnline: “For his four days on this earth, the NICU staff at the Evelina were incredible.
“They did everything they could to make him comfortable and also provide us with opportunities to spend time with him.
“He showed so much personality. He was mischievous.
“We 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.
“We are so lucky to have met him, and words cannot express the love we felt for our darling boy.
“Doctors said his condition was not compatible with life.
“We had to make the decision when it was time. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but we didn’t want to prolong any suffering.”
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.
Tragically, he was not strong enough for heart surgery, having been born at just 28 weeks.
His death was made even more heartbreaking, as the couple had suffered with infertility and miscarriages before falling pregnant with Alexander.
At the hospital, they were given a separate room so that other family members could visit.
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.
Mr Bell, who works as a chef at Cinque Ports in Margate, recalled: “He was always loved, not just by us but also by the incredible staff that looked after him.”
The couple held a similar event last year and are hoping to raise more funds for the hospital’s charity.
As well as the event this weekend, Mrs Bell – a librarian – is abseiling down St Thomas’ Hospital in September to raise funds.
Mr Bell added: “This event is not just about raising funds, it’s a summer celebration and a chance for us all to support a cause that’s very dear to our hearts.”
The Pub’s Evelina charity fundraiser will take place on Sunday at the venue in the High Street.
It is free to enter and will start at 12pm, with food from 2pm till 8pm and music from 6pm.
