Couple raise £114k for hospital after losing twins

A couple have raised more than £100,000 for the neonatal unit that cared for their late twins.

Nick and Libby Powell, from Corsham, said they wanted to channel their grief and "try to do something good" following the death of their sons Lando and Rafferty.

The twins were born at 23 weeks at Bristol's Southmead Hospital on 25 July 2024. One of the boys died 11 days later, the other died 14 days later.

The Powells, who said hospital staff had treated them and their sons with "real love, compassion and care", have raised £114,000 for the Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity since the twins died.

"They are treating these ill children as if they are their own," Nick said.

"It is a really intense environment but they made it as special as it can be."

Libby experienced bleeding 23 weeks into her otherwise "very healthy pregnancy".

She was rushed to Southmead where doctors tried to keep Lando and Rafferty in her uterus but, a day later, the twins had to be delivered.

"I think [in] NICU, you are living minute by minute as opposed to day by day," Nick said.

"The 11 days that Lando was with us and the 14 days that Raffy was with us, it felt like such a long period of time because you're constantly checking in, going back."

Nick said the time between the twins being born and their deaths was "the hardest period" of the couple's lives but he said it was one "filled with love, hope and moments we will hold onto forever".

He said: "Without the amazing care in NICU, we would never have had the chance to get to know our boys, to hold them, care for them and experience being their parents for the short time they were with us."

To show their gratitude to the NICU staff at Southmead, Nick and Libby decided to start fundraising and £17,000 was donated by friends and family who attended their sons' funeral.

Libby said she and Nick spoke to consultants and it became clear a Concord plate - which allows the baby to remain attached to the mother via its umbilical cord - was needed.

The couple set out to raise £45,000 for the piece of equipment but they have since far exceeded that - raising more than £114,000 through events like a family fundraising day and Nick taking on the Three Peaks Challenge.

Once donor matching and a pledge from Excel London has come through, Nick said the total would stand at "just shy of £180,000".

The couple currently have their sights set on running the London Marathon together.

"Nothing's going to bring the boys back but I think knowing that it keeps their legacy going and the money that's raised is in memory of them is so special," Libby said.

Southmead Hospital provides accommodation to families whose children are being cared for in the NICU and the couple hope the money will help to support families in a similar situation to the one they experienced.

Hannah Jones, community fundraising manager for Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity, said she wanted to say "a heartfelt thank you" to Nick and Libby for their efforts.

"The love for your boys shines through in everything you do and your courage, kindness and commitment have touched all of us at the charity," she said.

"Congratulations again on completing the Three Peaks Challenge.

"We know this is only part of your journey and we're cheering you on every step of the way."

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