A PATIENT has said a heartfelt thank you to a hospital for the life-saving treatment he received as a baby fifty years ago.

Kamlesh Mistry celebrated his fiftieth birthday in March by raising money for the Bradford Royal Infirmary’s neonatal unit with a 12-hour walk.

He has raised £1,585 so far, helping to boost funds for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s Big Neonatal Appeal, which will create extra accommodation for parents to stay close to their babies at the unit.

“I was born two months prematurely and spent five weeks in an incubator, being cared for by staff at what was then the St Luke’s Hospital baby unit,” said Kamlesh, who works as an engineer and now lives in Portsmouth.

“I owe my life to the people there and I’m so appreciative to all the staff who looked after me.

“The staff were also amazing in supporting my mum, Bhikhi Ben, during that time.”

Asian Image: Kamlesh as a baby with his motherKamlesh as a baby with his mother (Image: Kamlesh Mistry)

Kamlesh has also been supporting his local neo-natal unit at Portsmouth Hospital’s University Trust, where he and his wife Beejal’s two daughters, Karishma, 17, and Parina, 14, were born.

He has raised a staggering £1,803 for the unit there.

“Both Bradford and Portsmouth units will always have a special place in my heart, especially since the birth of my own children,” he added.

“I think becoming a parent makes you realise the amazing job nurses and midwives do in bringing babies into the world safely and caring for them when they are sick.”

Asian Image: Kamlesh as a babyKamlesh as a baby (Image: Kamlesh Mistry)

Kamlesh is now aiming to bring his fundraising totals for Bradford and Portsmouth to £2,000 each and is appealing for sponsorship as he continues his walking with a new challenge – aiming to complete 11,000 steps per day.

He has pledged to match every donation up to the value of £250.

“I would be so appreciative if people could sponsor me and donate as much as they can over the coming year, even just giving a pound a month will make a vast difference,” he said.

“Please help me raise as much as I can by inviting your family and friends to help too. These are both such wonderful causes.”

Bradford Hospitals’ Charity Director, Sharon Milner, added: “This is an inspiring story, and it’s great that Bradford still means so much to Kamlesh, even despite moving to Portsmouth.

“We are very grateful and wish Kamlesh all the very best with his fundraising efforts. Keep up the great work.”

To sponsor Kamlesh, visit here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kamlesh-mistrybabyunitfund2