Fun day will honour baby Gracie Gray

A couple whose daughter died at just three months old are raising money to thank the hospital teams who cared for her.

Mel and Alex Gray, from Tenterden, are organising a fun day on Saturday, 19 August, in memory of Gracie, who was born 10 weeks early weighing just 3lb 5oz.

The tot was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after suffering brain seizures, and her parents were warned she would not live long.

After seven weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford they were able to take her home to big brother Louie. The family spent six weeks together enjoying being a family of four before she lost her fight and died in her parents’ arms.

Mel, 31, said: “It was the hardest, most horrible day. For such a small girl, Gracie had a lot of fight in her, and we loved every second of having her home. Everyone was amazed at how long she managed to hold on.

“She was able to be at her brother’s eighth birthday party, and she watched him play football, and she had all the cuddles in the world.

“They told us her time would be short, but they couldn’t say how short, but said to take her home and enjoy her, so we did just that.

“We took each day as a blessing and through it all we were so grateful for the ongoing support from the team at the NICU.”

The family are fundraising for East Kent Hospitals Charity’s Tiny Toes campaign, to help fund equipment for the NICU to benefit babies, parents, visitors and staff.

Mel said: “They were absolutely incredible. I can’t express how amazing they were.

“Whenever we were unsure about anything, whenever we didn’t know what to do with our emotions, they were there.

“They really went above and beyond. I could call them at 1am if I was worried, and when Gracie was on the unit if Louie got bored they would take him off and do some arts and crafts to give us more time with her.

“We became close to some of the staff who really got me through some dark times, and we wanted to raise money to give something back and say thank you for all their care.”

The fun day takes place at Hole Park Estate, Rolvenden, TN17 4JA, from noon to 4pm on Saturday, 19 August, and features a host of stalls and games, live music, a fun dog show, barbecue and bar, and tractor rides.

There will be a raffle, with prizes including a hot air balloon experience, air fryer and Nintendo Switch.

Beautician Mel and her tree surgeon husband Alex, who have become parents to Henry and Cooper since losing Gracie in 2019, are hoping to raise £3,000 for the charity.

Everyone is welcome to the fun day, which will be mostly cash only apart from the bar, or you can donate online at https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gracie-gray-19