"Words can't describe how heartbroken you feel" - Sunderland mam speaks out about death of baby after twins born prematurely

Baby Riley was born at 24 weeks with mam Holly Waggott.

Baby Riley was born at 24 weeks, 16 weeks premature, on May, 7 2021 weighing just 627 grams along with his twin sister Robyn to parents Holly Waggott and Peter Graydon from Town End Farm.

Riley was sadly diagnosed with a stage four bleed on both sides of the brain two days after he was born and was given 10 days to live.

The little fighter began getting better before being rushed to the RVI with Necrotizing Enterocolitis, a serious intestinal disease and underwent a three hour operation.

Riley sadly died in May this year at seven-days-old.

Mum Holly, who has two other sons, Theo, 4 and Luke, eight months said her ‘strong little boy’ seemed like he was on the mend but his health quickly deteriorated and he sadly died on May 14.

She said: “At first I thought this really doesn’t look good but we were all hopeful and thought he would pull through.

"I think it was the worst possible feeling you could ever feel when he passed away – words can't describe how heartbroken you feel.”

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Riley's twin sister Robyn is still being looked after in Sunderland Royal's neonatal unit.

Riley’s twin sister, Robyn is now six weeks old and is still in the neonatal unit in Sunderland Royal hospital.

Holly added: “Robyn is doing well and we see her in the hospital every day – We take each day as it comes and for us no news is good news.”

All of Holly’s children have been born premature and now the mam is urging other parents alike to seek support if they need help.

She said: “As hard as it is, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I encourage everyone to reach and out and seek support where they need it.

Dad Peter with Riley and Mam Holly with Robyn.

"Having a premature baby seems terrifying as you never know what’s going to happen but there is support out there.”

A fundraiser has been launched to raise funds for Riley’s funeral and for Sunderland’s neonatal unit.

Holly said: “The neonatal unit have been fantastic and I can’t thank them enough for the help and support they’ve given my family so I wanted to give back to the unit.”

You can donate to Riley’s fundraiser here.

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