More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A couple whose baby boy was born four months premature face soaring hotel bills to be by their son's side.
Elizabeth Hamilton was just 22 weeks into her pregnancy when her waters suddenly broke and she was whisked from home in Snodland to Tunbridge Wells Hospital in the hope labour could be delayed.
Soon mum-to-be was transferred to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where, despite the efforts of medical staff, tiny Elijah was born on August 21 weighing just 1lb 3oz.
Without a car, and living some 60 miles from the hospital, mum and partner Joshua Johnson had no choice but to book themselves into the Royal Albion Hotel in the seaside resort, where they have been staying since arriving in the city on August 15.
Now the mounting cost of accommodation is causing even greater stress at what is already an incredibly challenging time for the 30-year-olds.
"For the hotel the bill is just short of £1,300 already," Joshua said, speaking from the hotel in Brighton.
"We have been between here and the hospital every day, two or three times a day. We are coming back, having something to eat, having a lie down, and then going back to the hospital.
"It's just the two of us at the moment. Where the unit is they are not allowing other people to come in and see him."
Being born so much earlier than expected means the newborn will need specialist medical care, but the family say he is stable and doctors on the Trevor Mann Baby Unit are happy with his current condition.
Because of the risk of infection, hospital policy means the couple are unable to take their phones into the ward, but staff use a special tablet to take photos and videos of Elijah to send to send them by email.
In hope of easing the financial pressures while he remains in hospital, the family have begun a fundraising effort online to help them cover their hotel bills.
So far almost £2,000 has been raised for the family, who live in Thomson Close, from a series of small donations.
Mr Johnson, a plant operations engineer for a block paving company who has two children from a previous relationship, said: "We were short of funds and a family friend said why don't you do the Go Fund Me thing.
"I have worked all my life and always paid my way, but needs must. We couldn't sustain the fees we were paying out down here.
"Elijah could be in hospital for months, so it would not be sustainable in the long term.
"We would like to also like to take this time to thank everyone for their generous donations and kind words of support during this difficult time."
The family's MP, Tracey Crouch, is supporting the couple and has shared their fundraising page after receiving what she described as "an absolutely heartbreaking email" alerting her to their plight.
Ms Crouch said: "I cannot begin to imagine how challenging it must be for Joshua and Elizabeth at the moment.
"While I am trying to find out what, if anything, the state can help with, it is wonderful to see so many local people supporting them by donating to their fund. On their behalf, thank you."
