A COUPLE whose infant son died after an 18-week fight for life have raised more than £20,000 to help the hospital which cared for him.

Luke and Gemma Froude’s fundraising efforts have brought in £20,840.66 for Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents (Ssnap), a charity that works with the special care baby unit at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

The couple were supported by the charity after their son Finnley was born 12 weeks premature and weighing just 1lb 4oz, less than a bag of sugar.

He was cared for in the JR’s neo-natal intensive care unit and, though he grew to 7lb 14oz, died in June last year, aged 18 weeks, after contracting an infection.

On Tuesday, the couple were presented with a certificate of merit by the charity.

Their events included Finnley’s Day at Banbury Town Hall, which raised £13,000, and an abseil down the hospital by Mr Froude, who is afraid of heights.

Some of the money has been spent refurbishing a parents’ sitting room, where a plaque in memory of Finnley will be placed.

The rest has been spent on equipment for the neo-natal ward, including an incubator and other equipment to help critically-ill babies.

Mr Froude, 30, of Appleby Close, Banbury, said: “It was a very emotional morning but we were very proud to see Finnley’s name on the plaque.

“It was time to take a moment and think what a great achievement it actually is. We couldn’t have done it without the support of family, friends, employers and all the local support we had.

“We never set a target but it costs on average £1,000 per night to care for an intensive care baby. Finnley was in hospital 125 days so it would be nice to think one day we could have given back somewhere in that region – but that’s one hell of a target.”

Charity manager Julie Da Silva-Moore said: “It’s really a remarkable achievement. They have worked so hard over the last year.

“We’re really proud of them, they are so courageous.

“The equipment they have paid for will make a difference to other families and all of it will be used on a daily basis.”

  • The couple have booked Banbury Town Hall to hold Finnley’s Day 2012.