Thatcham family fundraising in baby's memory

Easter family event at Newbury Football Club

A THATCHAM family whose baby died from a heart condition and who have raised more than £5,000 for the hospital that cared for her – are planning another fundraiser.

Carly Williams told Newburytoday that her late niece, Tahlia Luella Williams, born on August 29 last year, weighing 6Ibs 6oz, faced a battle for life, just a few days after her birth.

Carly’s sister, Sarah, had discovered at 20 weeks pregnant that her daughter would be born with a heart condition and faced open-heart surgery shortly after being born.

She was just three days old when the operation took place, and seven hours after the operation, the sisters were told it had been a success.

“However, Tahlia’s heart condition proved more complicated and the infant faced further surgery.

Carly said: “Tahlia fought with such strength through another three open-heart operations and a smaller heart surgery.

“After a battle beyond the strength of anyone we have ever met and that the doctors, nurses and surgeons of the PICU ward in Southampton had ever seen, Tahlia lost her battle for life at just 27 days old on the 25th of September 2015 in her mummy’s arms with myself and our dad by our sides.”

Sarah has since set up a fundraising Facebook page to raise awareness of congenital heart disease (CHD) and raise funds for the charity The Friends of the PICU – the specialist ward at Southampton General Hospital, which cared for Tahlia.

“Nothing prepared my sister and myself for what Tahlia went through. When I looked for another mum to talk to about the exact same condition as Tahlia, it was impossible,” said Sarah, adding that would have made a massive difference at the time.

“Currently we are fundraising for a new giraffe bed and heating mattresses for the PICU ward’s expansion in October and hope to be able to raise enough money to supply this in Tahlia’s name,” she added.

“This equipment is vital to saving babies lives.”

With the ward set to expand by two beds – and a fundraising target of £30,000 by October (2016) to chime with this – a fun-packed, fundraising evening, including an Easter egg hunt has been organised for Friday, April 1, between 7pm and 11pm, at Newbury Football Club, Faraday Road.

Family games, a disco by Fatman inc, a licensed bar, and raffle are also planned.

A family ticket is priced at £18, (two adults/three children), and a single ticket at £5.

For more details or to purchase tickets visit www.facebook.com/groups/918297734925234/.

To donate, visit the just giving page: www.justgiving.com/Tahlia LuellasLegacy.

A YouTube film narrating Tahlia’s story has received 2,000 hits at youtu.be/vETNEkP2Xxg.