Essex Family Raise Over £1,600 In Memory Of Baby Dollie

The grandmother and cousin of a little girl who tragically passed away at just 33 days old have raised over £1,600 in her memory for The Sick Children’s Trust.

Lorraine Colleran, 43, and Bailey Carter, 19, both from Essex raised £1,690 in Dollie Stanton’s memory after completing The Royal Parks Half Marathon earlier this month. Dollie was born at Harlow Hospital at just 24 weeks weighing a tiny 1lb 4oz. Because she was so premature, she needed specialist treatment and was transferred 40 miles away to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. Dollie spent four weeks in hospital, and during this time her parents Jorgi and Scott were supported with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation at The Sick Children’s Trust’s Chestnut House. This meant that the couple could spend every moment with Dollie during her preciously short life.

Lorraine and Bailey, along with the rest of Dollie’s family, decided they would raise as much money as possible for The Sick Children’s Trust so other parents who find themselves in a similar situation to Jorgi and Scott can stay by their baby’s bedside. Lorraine says:

“Dollie was our first granddaughter and she made us so proud of how she battled on, and in her memory we want to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust because of the tremendous job they do and the support they provided Jorgi and Scott. Chestnut House made them feel like they had a ‘Home from Home’ and the team were very helpful from the start to the end.

“When Bailey and I were running, what kept us going was the thought of our little Dollie and Jorgi and Scott. When we completed the run it was a huge mix of emotions, and then when we saw how much had been raised in Dollie’s name we were overwhelmed. We all have a special place in our hearts for her, and although Bailey and I were the ones running the half marathon everyone in the family has been raising money in Dollie’s memory.”

The money raised by Dollie’s family will go towards providing more families with seriously ill children in hospital with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation. Dollie’s parents, Jorgi and Scott, add:

“Dollie was a beautiful little fighter who's left the biggest imprint on all our hearts and will be with us forever.”

The Sick Children’s Trust’s Chestnut House, along with the charity’s nine other ‘Homes from Home’ gives families a place to stay just minutes from their sick child’s bedside, with a private room, access to a kitchen, living room and dining area alongside laundry facilities. Chestnut House Manager Abigail Abdel-aal says:

“When Dollie passed away, we all felt the family’s loss but were comforted to know that by providing ‘Home from Home’ accommodation to Jorgi and Scott they could be with Dollie right up until that final goodbye.

“The Sick Children’s Trust believes that every child should have their loved ones by their side when they are seriously ill in hospital, and for Jorgi and Scott it was extremely important that they had a room just minutes’ away from Dollie’s bedside.

“The family are truly inspirational and we are completely in awe of their bravery. Thank you so much for thinking of us at this time.”

Dollie’s family are continuing to fundraise in her memory for The Sick Children’s Trust, which includes a number of her male relatives taking on the Tough Mudder next May.

To support their fundraising efforts, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kerrie-Carter1