Select a region
The celebrations continue today as families supported by the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation gather at a party organised by the neonatal unit.
It's been two decades since the first fund-raising efforts bought an incubator for the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, following the early births of Sebastian and Danniella Priaulx, who are both now honorary ambassadors of the charity their parents formed.
Dannii's birth coincided with what would later become World Prematurity Day and is marked as the anniversary of the foundation of the PPBF.
Yesterday, Dannii cut the 20th birthday cake she had helped her mum make to celebrate the charity's anniversary while also marking her own birthday.
Here we look back over 20 years - and a little bit extra - to honour the work carried out by Jo and Andy Priaulx, fellow founder of the charity Richard Le Tocq, and all those who have supported the charity.
18 January 2001
Sebastian Priaulx is born premature by emergency caesarean after his mum is diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Seb spent four weeks in Northampton’s Special Care Baby Unit receiving feeding and breathing assistance. He weighed 3lbs 14oz at birth. Mother, Jo was cared for on a separate ward.
Pictured: Sebastian Priaulx with his parents.
17 November 2003
Danniella Priaulx is born premature also by emergency caesarean, with both mother and baby needing urgent medical support. Jo was very seriously ill while Danniella needed help to breathe as her lungs were underdeveloped when she was born five-weeks early.
2003 - 2007
The PPBF held its first big event with SPF Private Clients, raising £45,000 for an incubator at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
This was intended to be a ‘one-off’ but the overwhelming response inspired Jo to do more leading to further fundraising to buy a photo printer so that every mum with a premature baby staying in the hospital could have a photo of their newborn by their side – just like Jo did when she had to leave Sebastian overnight at the hospital in Northampton.
Soon after, a brain monitor was bought for the hospital too.
2008
The first ever ‘World Prematurity Day’ was recognised at a global scale in 2008.
In this same year, £22,000 was raised by the PPBF to purchase a ventilator and three hot cots for the hospital.
Pictured: Dannii Priaulx was born on what is now known as World Prematurity Day.
2009 – 2010
Ali Lihou joined the PPBF to help with the day-to-day running of the charity including compassionate housing coordination and Sammy Meerveld also joined the PPBF after a close friend gave birth 10 weeks early. Sammy has been involved ever since.
2011
Isaac Pickford was born at 34 weeks and 5 days to Guernsey couple Robert and Jo Pickford.
His early birth and the trauma his parents faced in staying at a hotel in Southampton while their tiny baby was in the hospital, led to 'Isaac’s Pad’ – the PPBF’s first flat for those needing off-island care.
In the same year, Maicie Pond needed care on Guernsey’s Neonatal Unit and her parents, Tim and Nikki, became involved with the charity through fundraising and volunteering.
2013
The PPBF celebrated its 10th anniversary at St Pierre Park Hotel with Becky Rowe Jewellery commissioning a special ‘Dannii Bear’ pewter photo holder to include in each Baby Box for families staying on Guernsey’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
2015
The PPBF was given royal recognition through the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award given to any voluntary group.
The ‘Buy-A-Brick’ campaign was also launched in this year, aiming to raise £150,000 for the purchase of a second flat next to Southampton Hospital.
2016
Notable fundraising events over the years have included ‘A Right Royal Affair’ which took place at St James to celebrate the PPBF’s royal award.
The charity won ‘Fundraising Team of the Year’ at the Guernsey Community Foundation awards, and Black Vanilla, who helped with the Buy-A-Brick campaign, won the Guernsey Awards for Achievement’s ‘Excellence in Marketing Award’ for their work.
£50,000 was donated to the Buy-A-Brick campaign through a charitable trust set up by Mr Jim Wilkinson, and his late wife Peggy.
2017
A grand total of £270,000 was raised by the Buy-A-Brick campaign which surpassed the initial target much earlier than expected.
The PPBF’s second flat was purchased, with assistance from Collas Crill, thanks to Anna Douglass. The two-bedroom property was named in honour of Aggie Nicolle, who sadly lost her life to neuroblastoma in 2016.
2019
The very first ‘Blingo’ event was held and these have gone on to be hugely popular fundraisers.
2020
An ambassador programme was launched by the PPBF, along with a brand new website.
The Lieutenant-Governor presented special pin badges to 10 Guernsey-based Ambassadors and two Honorary Ambassadors – Sebastian and Danniella Priaulx.
The current ambassadors are: Dr Sandie Bohin, Susie Campanella, Jason Green, Nick Leale, Ali Lihou, Fiona Murray, Hubert Nicolle, Jo Pickford, Robert Pickford, Tim Pond, Nikki Trebert, and Alexis Morgan.
The charity also asked Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland to be Patron, which she accepted.
2021
Notable fundraising challenges have included 2021's ‘Row24Solo’ by Guernseyman Simon Johns. He broke a world record for his 24-hour solo indoor row, raising £35,000 split between the PPBF and Bright Tights.
Pictured: Frankie's Den in Southampton.
2022
The PPBF’s brand new ‘Buy-A-Night’ campaign was launched, with Hand Picked Hotels, to support the ongoing running and maintenance costs of its compassionate housing next to Southampton Hospital.
2023
Frankie's Den - the third compassionate flat - opened this year thanks to the support of Ken and Linda Acott.
Guernsey’s ‘NICU’ became the newly refurbished ‘Special Care Unit.’
Dave Clark and Fiona Gomes joined the PPBF as Treasurer and Secretary respectively.
To bring the community together during such an important year, Guernsey’s neonatal nurses decided to host a ‘Family Fun Day’ to celebrate 20 years of working with the PPBF, which is happening today.
The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation has been the Connect magazine charity partner of the year.
A full timeline of the charity's 20 year history will appear in the December/January edition - out online and to collect from locations across the island from 1 December, 2023.
Read the charity's articles to date in our magazine HERE.
Caring for babies, supporting their families
New video tech to support premature baby parents
"Please, please, breast feed" when possible
Priaulx Baby Charity launches new website
C5 supports Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.