Eastbourne dad tackles challenge for baby care charity

Preston Forster and five committed friends raised more than £5,000 by tackling the Three Peaks Challenge last weekend.

Preston and partner Keri Stallard, from Eastbourne, spent weeks in limbo after their son Albie was born just 29 weeks into Keri’s pregnancy in March last year.

Albie was born prematurely, but is now a healthy and happy little boy, as pictured with his mum, right

Albie weighed just 2lb 9oz when he began fighting for his life in intensive care at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

It was then Preston swore he would go beyond his daily gifts of doughnuts to the nurses caring for his son, and raise as much money as possible to show his gratitude.

“I felt stuck, we didn’t know what the outcome was going to be,” said Preston, reflecting on when his son was in intensive care.

“In the time we were there I bought doughnuts for the nurses every day, but it never felt enough.

Preston, bottom left, with the climbing team

“I decided there and then that I would help the people who were helping my son.”

Preston enlisted five friends, and they began training for the challenge, which involves climbing Ben Nevis, Snowdon, and Scafell Pike in Wales, all in under 24 hours.

The night before the group was due to begin climbing they watched their fundraiser draw closer to the £5,000 target – and while trekking the following day, they reached it.

“I didn’t know what figure to aim for, but I wanted to make sure we had a good amount. I was nervous we might not make the target,” said Preston.

Albie getting involved with the fundraising

“We were absolutely buzzing, there’s been such a great response. People like the cause, everybody loves an underdog story.”

They have so far raised £5,695, which will be split between charities Rockinghorse, which supports the Trevor Mann Baby Unit, and Ronald McDonald House, which provides nearby accommodation for families with children in hospital.

“Without Ronald McDonald we would have had to go backwards and forward to Eastbourne each day, so an hour each way," said Preston.

Albie and his dad at a fundraising event at Eastbourne Town football club

“They were a huge help, and I really don’t know what we would have done without them.”

Rockinghorse uses donations to fund vital equipment at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit, including essential monitors and neonatal ventilators.

Hollie Tresize, fundraising manager at the charity, said: “Preston and Keri have been so supportive of Rockinghorse since little Albie was born.

“Not only have they organised and completed this amazing challenge, but they have also arranged a charity football match and a golf day to raise money.

“What they are doing will support so many other families who find themselves needing the excellent support and care provided at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit and we simply can’t thank them enough.”