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A mum has told how her premature baby son faced a fight for life just days after being allowed home. Asha Richardson gave birth to son Lennox 10 weeks ahead of his due date after she developed pre-eclampsia.

The newborn, who weighed just 3lbs 4oz, spent weeks in the special care unit before finally being allowed home. As she was a new mum, Asha took Lennox to stay at her mum’s house in Great Asby, Cumbria, but after just two nights, disaster struck with the tot falling unresponsive.

Facing a race against time, he was flown to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance Service, where he was treated for sepsis and meningitis, with the family heartbreakingly told to say their goodbyes. But thanks to the speedy care he was given the youngster survived and is now a thriving eight-year-old.

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Asha, 32, of Warcop, told how the nightmare unfolded on November 29, 2017. Things had been looking up as they brought Lennox home, but then he suddenly took a turn for the worse.

She said: “He just went downhill. By the time the ambulance arrived Lennox was blue and cold to touch. Then the air ambulance was called out and it came really, really quickly.”

The critical care team from the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) assessed and treated Lennox, before he was carried by his mother to the helicopter, and they were both flown to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool in approximately 20 minutes.

Lennox was diagnosed with sepsis and meningitis and was immediately taken to the paediatric intensive care unit. Asha said: “When we arrived at Alder Hey we were told to say our goodbyes. We sat and stared at him in PICU, trying to work out what every bleep meant.”

Lennox spent one week in intensive care, followed by two weeks on a ward before being transferred to Lancaster Hospital and discharged home on Christmas Eve. She said: “If it wasn’t for our amazing Health Visitor Janice, who supported me to make the call, then the paramedics, the GNAAS crew, and the emergency team at Alder Hey, things could have ended so differently. But against every odd, Lennox survived.”

Now aged eight, Lennox is happy and thriving and he has a loving relationship with his younger brother, who is three and a half. Asha said: “Lennox is a smart, kind, and energetic young boy. He loves spending time with his family and going on holiday adventures together.

"He’s a big fan of Lego, enjoys reading, and loves a kickabout with his dad. Bike rides are one of his favourite things, especially when we’re all out together.”

Lennox also spends a few months each year in Ghana, West Africa, where his family have set up a charity to support a small local community. Asha said: “He has so many friends there who live well below the poverty line, and that experience has shaped him into a very compassionate and grounded child.”

Following Lennox’s recovery, Asha was determined to give something back to GNAAS. In 2018 and 2019, she completed a 5km daily walking challenge to raise money for the charity, and during the COVID lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, she increased the challenge to 8km every day, often walking with Lennox by her side, and raised thousands of pounds.

She said: “We are beyond grateful for the care and speed of the service that saved our son’s life. Supporting GNAAS means supporting families like ours at the moment they need it most. We will always do whatever we can, wherever we can, to help raise awareness and funds for such a lifesaving service.”

GNAAS has launched an appeal called Operation SOS: Secure Our Service and need to raise £2.5 million to secure the deposit for a third new helicopter. Find out more on its website.

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