A YOUNG woman who is raising money for an intensive care unit for babies has spoken of the death of her son, aged just one day.

Georgia Chappels and her partner were full of hope when they planned their first child last summer.

But when Eddie Chappels was born prematurely by Caesarean section on February 6 he was a very sick child and died of CMV cytomegalovirus the following day.

Georgia, 21 of West Street, Ringwood, has now come to terms with the death, even though she and her partner split up because of it.

Now she is staging a celebration of her child's short life at an event she is calling Eddie's Night at The Winchester, Poole Hill, Parkstone, between 8pm and midnight on Thursday, August 24. All money raised will go to the neo-natal intensive care unit at Salisbury District Hospital which cared for Eddie.

As well as a band, which is giving its services free, and the Fantasy Palace Girls dance group, there will be a charity auction including a yacht trip valued at £500 and a raffle.

Georgia hopes the event will raise in excess of £1,000. She has already contributed £700 which was collected at Eddie's funeral service and another £400 from a sponsored walk.

Georgia also wants to highlight CMV, which was the result of a cold she caught early in her pregnancy. Her immune system was not strong enough to resist the virus which she passed on to the baby in her womb.

CMV is related to the glandular fever virus and is not rare. About half the adult population have had it at some time. But it is most easily passed to a pregnant woman by children. The best means of prevention is to always wash your hands before and after caring for babies and children.

Georgia said: "Pregnant women should go straight to their doctor if they have a cold. You must really get it checked out."

She had suffered several bleeds during pregnancy. The last one was in February when a scan showed a Caesarean operation was needed.

Specialists warned her the baby could weigh as little as two pounds and might not be breathing.

In the event little Eddie Jack was breathing and crying when he was born weighing just 1lb 14oz.

"My partner was up all night with him, keeping him company. He Eddie was in a ventilator because he was really tired.

"The following day we had some time with him in the morning. Then we got told he was really poorly and the next 48 hours would be crucial. He had an internal bleed. Then it was from 48 hours to the next five minutes.

"We had him blessed by the hospital chaplain.

"Then he went."

  • Tickets for Eddie's Night can be obtained from Georgia on 07724 374751.