Guernsey mum hails support from premature baby charity

Skye-Niccoll Mollett has spoken out on World Prematurity Day

A mum in Guernsey has told how the support she received from a specialist charity after having her premature baby was like having "a best friend".

Guernsey's Skye-Niccoll Mollett was rushed to Portsmouth in May 2023 to have her son Noah at just 26 weeks.

Speaking on World Prematurity Day, she said support from local nurses and the Channel Islands' Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation (PPBF) was "amazing".

She added: "They supported me through the whole thing and kept messaging me."

Little Noah was born at just 26 weeks

She said it was like having a best friend.

"To have that support behind me is a massive deal to me," she said.

"You don't expect your baby to come so early.

"(I was) anxious, worried, obviously I put quite a lot of faith in the nurses. They put my worries at rest.

"My partner couldn't be with me, my mum couldn't be with me until later.

"They looked after me, kept making sure I was okay all the way through.

"Not knowing what would come after him being born, being born so early, was he going to have problems, additional needs?

"It's all just a massive worry really but the nurses were amazing."

The foundation, which was established 20 years ago, helps with support including accommodation while visiting off-island hospitals.

Emma McKane, from Guernsey's neonatal team, said: 'As a team we are very grateful for all the support the PPBF have given to the staff and families."

The PPBF officially turns 20 on 17 November, which is also World Prematurity Day, and the charity is encouraging the community to wear purple to fundraise and raise awareness around preterm births.

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