AN ALVECHURCH charity will host a football match this weekend to honour the memory of a baby girl who passed away just hours after she was born at the town’s Alexandra Hospital.
Little Ava Helene Atkinson blessed her family with her presence on May 26, 2014 but due to being born so early she was faced with many health problems and was unable to breathe on her own.
Too poorly to be transferred to a specialist children’s hospital Ava remained at the Alex and when hours later, baby Ava’s condition had not improved the family, after discussions with their consultant, had to make the most devastating decision of their lives – to withdraw treatment due to the severity of her health issues.
Minutes after coming off the ventilator Ava passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, except for her daddy, Richard, who was flying back into the country and in touch only by phone.
But even though Richard did not get the chance to say hello or goodbye to his daughter he was able to seek comfort from a keepsake box they were given at the hospital. In it the family keeps treasured memories of their daughter they can look at whenever they want.
Now the family has decided to make and supply the boxes to as many units as possible in the UK through Baby Ava’s Support Foundation and and make them free of charge.
To help raise funds to support other grieving families, the charity will host a match at Redditch Unites FC on Sunday (April 3).
The game will see Ava’s Angels face Birmingham City Football Club’s All Stars at 11am with all proceeds going to Baby Ava’s Support Foundation.
Entry is £5 for adults and £2 for children and the charity is still on the lookout for sponsors and mascots (priced at £10).
Call 077038 26931 or visit http://www.babyavasfoundation.org/ for more information.
