Stockton grandmother thanks special care baby unit as premature grandson turns seven

Although nothing will ever seem enough, a Stockton grandmother is continuing to thank the special care baby unit that cared for her premature grandson as he celebrates his seventh birthday.

Joseph Francis McGrogan was born eight weeks early at the University Hospital of North Tees on February 29, 2008 weighing just four pounds.

Not due until April 21, Joseph entered the world surrounded with uncertainty as to whether or not he would survive.

As if that wasn’t enough, Joseph’s mum, Amey Rose McGrogan, was also poorly. Kept apart in separate wards for three weeks, this meant that new mum Amey didn’t get to see much of Joseph in his very early days.

However, grateful for the staff’s support at the time, Amey, 33, said: “It was three weeks before I could go and sit by his side.

“They sent me a mother’s day card though and they always made sure I had a fresh photograph of Joseph.”

After an eight week stay in hospital, Joseph and mum, Amey, were both discharged on the same day and allowed to go home on April 19, two days before Joseph’s due date.

Grandmother, Ann McGrogan, 66, said: “Joseph was an emergency section so we did not know if he was going to survive. They looked after him really well.

“I don’t know where they get them from but in the incubators they lie the babies on little quilts.

“I thought I could make them. It just passed my mind but there was a lot of other things on my mind then too.”

Ann first began donating the handmade quilts to the special care baby unit as a thank you for their care when Joseph turned one. Over the years, she has since continued to make batches for the unit on birthdays and at Christmas time.

Ann has also had her little helper, Joseph, taking an interest in helping to make the quilts.

Ann McGrogan with grandson Joseph. Ann is donating handmade quilts to the special care baby unit at University Hospital of North Tees

Ann, who runs PoppyRose Handmade Loveliness in Stockton town centre, said: “Joseph has been learning to sew for about a year on a 1930s sewing machine. He has had a go at things like bunting.”

This month, Ann will be donating 12 quilts, some of which are also crocheted, to the unit following Joseph’s birthday.

Ann said: “The staff at the unit are just amazing. They are dedicated to the babies and the parents.

“It must be a really hard job to work with the poorly babies.

“We were one of the lucky ones. We got to bring Joseph home.

“We have been lots of times to say thank you but it still never feels enough.”