Peterborough family celebrates baby Luca with charity walk

Luca Barrientos was born on 26 May at just over 23 weeks. His family said he is a "fighter"

Parents who have been through "the toughest journey" with their baby have raised more than £14,000 for charities to mark World Prematurity Day.

Julio Barrientos and Amanda Barrientos' son Luca spent more than 100 days between two hospitals after he was born at around 23 weeks last May.

The family, from Thorney, Peterborough, said it had been "touch and go" for their "fighter baby".

Mr Barrientos is walking 90 miles to raise awareness about preterm births.

Mrs Barrientos' original due date was September 2022 but after experiencing some spotting of blood she was taken into Peterborough City Hospital (PCH) and transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where Luca was born on 26 May.

A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is classed as a preterm birth and according to the World Health Organisation babies born around 24 weeks have a survival rate of just 60 per cent.

The couple who also have a three-year-old daughter said they were in "shock and denial" when doctors told them their baby was going to be delivered at 23 weeks.

Mr Barrientos, 48, said: "I had to take a lifetime decision in 15 minutes on whether to resuscitate Luca after he came out. The doctors told us about the challenges preterm babies could face. It was upsetting and difficult.

"But it was unreal to see him take his first breath but the toughest journey began after that."

Luca spent more than 100 days between two hospitals after being born more than 13 weeks prematurely last May

Luca weighed 1.5lb (680g) and was put on life support and had a tear in his right lung. After spending 106 days between the John Radcliffe Hospital and PCH he came home this year but still needed oxygen to support his breathing.

Ms Barrientos, 36, said: "Throughout, there were times when we thought he wouldn't make it. It was hard to see him with all those tubes.

"And now, he is all over the place causing havoc. He is a fighter and it's only his hearing that's impacted and we feel lucky to see him recover so well."

Luca, now 18 months old, loves to "cause havoc" for his parents

The couple were supported by two charities during their stay in Oxford - Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, which provides accommodation to families needing medical treatment away from home, and SSNAP Oxford, an organisation that supports sick babies and their parents.

As a thank you to the organisations, Mr Barrientos will walk from their home in Thorney to PCH and then take on a two-day 90-mile journey on foot to John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford.

Mr Barrientos said: "It means a lot to us to be able to give back. It's a special day for the family."

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK said it felt "proud" to support people like the Barrientos family.

Nathan Swift, community fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Oxford, said: "We will be cheering Julio and the team over the finish line."

So far, the family has raised more than £14,000.