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Three little miracles raise a big thank you to hospital
Sophie Goodchild, Health and Social Affairs Correspondent16 Dec 2009
The parents of premature triplets have raised more than £250,000 for the hospital that saved their babies' lives.
Today Andrew Collier and his wife Anna said the funds would be used to buy equipment for the neonatal intensive care unit at Chelsea and Westminster hospital. More than 500 sick and very premature babies are treated there every year.
Identical twin girls Isabel and Emily and brother Ben spent more than 100 days in the hospital after being born three months early, weighing less than 3lb, in January 2006.
The Colliers, from East Sheen, paid tribute to Chelsea and Westminster's doctors and nurses by setting up the 3Little Miracles Fund, which has now exceeded its donation target.
Its purchases will include special incubators that enable doctors to carry out surgical procedures without taking the baby out, thereby reducing the infection risk.
Mr Collier, a partner at commercial real estate services company Cushman & Wakefield, said: "The fact all three of the triplets survived without any of the long-term health problems that can be associated with prematurity seems like a medical miracle to us, which is why everyone calls Isabel, Emily and Ben the three little miracles."
His wife added: "If it wasn't for Chelsea and Westminster our babies would not be alive today. We are so lucky because the triplets are perfect in every way. We set up our charity as a thank-you and to help the hospital care for other critically-ill babies."
The couple said donors had enabled the charity to grow "way beyond" their expectations. The fund, whose patrons include former British Lions rugby star Tim Rodber, now provides neonatal equipment for hospitals around Britain, including Northampton General in Mrs Collier's home town.
More than £115,000 was raised from a gala ball at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham; £35,000 from The National Surveyors Sevens rugby tournament at Richmond Rugby Club; £10,000 from property company Redevco and £6,500 from British Land.
Dr Gary Hartnoll, who helped treat the triplets, said: "Their incredible fundraising efforts have enabled us to buy state-of-the-art medical equipment which will enable us to save the lives of more babies and to spend NHS funds on other equipment."
