Little battler’s big day as special football mascot in charity match

PREMATURE BABY’S BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL INSPIRES ANNUAL GAME

A baby born 12 weeks early proved a special mascot at a charity match inspired by his battle.

Reeve Keithley weighed just 2lbs8oz, and soon dropped to 2lbs4oz, after being born on November 6, 12 weeks ahead of his due date.

He spent 10 weeks in the specialist neonatal unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital before parents Sharmime Laughton, 32, and fiance David Keithley could take their baby boy home to South Hylton.

Now, to say thank you to thededicatedstaff,Davidand his fellow team mates from Sunderland West End FC took part in a football match in aid of the unit, organised by charity champ Julie Reay from Barnes.

They took on Easington Colliery FC at the Ford Quarry playing fields, winning 3-2 and raising more than £1,000 for the cause.

David, who works as a gas fitter, said: “It was a really distressing time, but the staff were great and we got really close to them during Reeve’s time on the unit. Some of the nurses even came to the football match.”

Sharmime’s pregnancy had been going to plan until her waters broke unexpectedly while she was at home with David.

The pair rushed to Sunderland Royal Hospital where doctors informed the worried parents that Reeve’s heart rate was high and that he was in distress.

Doctors were forced to perform a Caesarean section to give the newborn a chance of life.

David said: “He was put on a ventilator as soon as he was born but the nurses soon told us that he was fine and stable.”

“We are so thankful to the neonatal unit” DAVID KEITHLEY

Once he was able to come home, little Reeve had to have oxygen for a number of weeks but today he’s a happy, healthy nine-month-old who joined the other spectators at the charity football match.

David, who is also dad to Romany, 12 and Nolha, eight, said: “We are so thankful to the unit. Who knows what could have happened without them.”

The match is the latest fundraiser organised by Julie Reay under her Peter David Lane Trust Fund, the charity she set up in honour of her son Peter, 13, who died in a tragic rope swing accident in 2002.

She said: “We chose the unit to benefit from this year’s charity match because of the exceptional work they do, especially in saving Reeve’s life.”

David Keithley, partner Sharmime Laughton and baby Reeve Keithley.

Julie Reay, right, and her annual charity football match under the Peter David Lane Trust Fund.

The family and Julie Reay with Gary Gettings, chair of Sunderland West End FC.

The trust fund was set up in memory of Julie Reay’s son, who died in 2002.