‘Our son was born 10-weeks early but had new fight days after coming home’

A mother has revealed how her premature infant son battled for survival days after being discharged home. Asha Richardson delivered son Lennox 10 weeks early, weighing 3lbs 4oz, after she developed pre-eclampsia.

The newborn remained in the special care unit for weeks before eventually being discharged. As a first-time mother, Asha brought Lennox to stay at her mum’s home in Great Asby, Cumbria, but two nights later, the family found themselves living a new nightmare when her son became unresponsive. In a desperate race against the clock, he was airlifted to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance Service, where he received treatment for sepsis and meningitis, with the family devastatingly told to bid their farewells.

However, owing to the rapid care he received, the youngster pulled through and is now a flourishing eight-year-old. Asha, 32, from Warcop, described how the ordeal unfolded on November 29, 2017.

All had appeared promising as they welcomed Lennox home but then he deteriorated, reports the Mirror. 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 rushed straight to the paediatric intensive care unit.

Asha recalled: “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 remained in intensive care for a week, then spent a fortnight on a ward before being moved to Lancaster Hospital and sent home on Christmas Eve. She explained: “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 eight years old, Lennox is flourishing and shares a close bond with his three-and-a-half-year-old brother. 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 several months every year in Ghana, West Africa, where his family have established a charity supporting a small local community. Asha noted: “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 keen to give back to GNAAS. In 2018 and 2019, she undertook a daily 5km walking challenge to fundraise for the charity, and during the COVID lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, she upped the ante to an 8km walk every day. Often accompanied by Lennox, she managed to raise 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 initiated a campaign named Operation SOS: Secure Our Service and needs to amass £2.5 million to secure the deposit for a third new helicopter. More information can be found on its website.

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