Comedian Jason Manford has helped a crowdfunding page set up by an Oban mum raise thousands of pounds.
Nikki Warham set up the JustGiving page after her baby made an unexpected and early appearance.
She gave birth to her daughter just three weeks ago by emergency C-section.
Baby Aneela emerged at 33 weeks, and as a premature baby required special paediatric attention in Paisley.
Facing huge financial pressure from travel and accommodation costs, Mrs Warham set up the JustGiving page.
Writing on the page, she said: “Aneela was born weighing 3lbs 15oz and is having to stay in the special baby unit in the royal Alexandra, Paisley, to continue her care.”
She continued: “We live in Benderloch (near) Oban and have two young children already (David, four and Benjamin, two). This means we face being torn between staying with Aneela and being home for our boys.”
She added: “Family and friends are already being very supportive but finances are weighing heavy on our minds as I’m sure you can understand. Each journey to be with our girl costs money (travel and accommodation) and it adds up very quickly, as well as providing our boys at home with things they need while we are away.”
Mrs Warham had hoped to raise £400 to help with these costs. Fortunately, comedian Jason Manford heard about the appeal and tweeted a link to the JustGiving page to his 275,000 followers.
Jason asked his fans – who he refers to as his “charity ninjas” – to support the page. Within 24 hours her appeal shot up from a couple of hundred pounds to over £5,500.
Mrs Warham was taken completely by surprise by strangers’ generosity. Updating her page, she said: “Quite honestly I’m in a state of shock! We really don’t even know what to say! Thank you all for your generosity and allowing us not to have to worry about finances for a long time!”
She announced yesterday that the family had returned home to Oban with baby Aneela.
Donors left messages of support on the JustGiving page: “Wishing your family a blessed future on the wonderful day your little princess comes home.”
Another said: “With love and best wishes to your family, Nikki. My wife was 1lb 11 when she was born – now 33 and a picture of health. So glad to have come across the page.”
