26 October 2023

Medical secretary Jamie Collins has raised £810 for York’s Special Baby Care Unit (SCBU) by asking for donations from well-wishers at his 40^th birthday celebrations.  Jamie was one of the first babies treated in the unit, born 14 weeks early, weighing just 1lb 9oz. 

Born in Fulford’s former maternity unit, he was one of the small group of babies transferred to York when it first accepted premature babies in the autumn of 1983.

Incredibly, Jamie has not moved far away from the unit in his everyday life.  For the past decade he has worked for the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is now based at York’s dermatology department.  When Jamie was born, he was so tiny he weighed the same amount as a bag of sugar.

Reflecting on the occasion, mum June Collins explained: “It’s been every emotional looking back through old photos - it’s nice to be back to see Jamie gift money to SCBU.  If anyone remembers Jamie, I would like to let them know how well he has done and thank them for all they did.”

Jamie said: “I wanted to give back to SCBU as they did so much for me 40 years ago, without them I would not be here.”

Accepting the donation, neo-natal support worker Anita Brown thanked Jamie for his generosity and wished him well for his fortieth year.

“I know Jamie well as I am friends with his sister.  It is just so wonderful to know Jamie and his family were helped all those years ago at SCBU,” she said.