The parents of a brave little boy who lived for just 68 days have donated a star in his memory dedicated to the staff who looked after him at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle, as well as pledging fundraising for Newcastle Hospitals Charity, the dedicated charity of Newcastle Hospitals.
Little Beauden Turnbull was born with a rare condition called Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy, a genetic disorder that presents itself at birth. Devastatingly, Beauden had the condition in its most severe form and spent his entire 68-day life in hospital, before dying peacefully in his parent’s arms.
Now, to commemorate their son’s first birthday on 25 February, Beauden’s parents Richard and Magda, from Benton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, have dedicated a star – which they’ve officially named the ‘NICU Night Light’ – to the devoted staff who cared for Beauden in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the RVI.
Beauden’s Mum Magda explains: “After Beauden died, our friends registered a star under his name, ‘Beauden Philip Turnbull’ in the constellation Ursa Minor. It means so much to us to know that our son’s name is shining brightly up there.”
“We wanted to pass this forward to show how grateful we are to the staff on the unit who cared so lovingly for Beauden and gave him a home for his time here. We registered the star ‘NICU Night Light’ in the same constellation as Beauden’s to reflect our love and appreciation to those who looked after him. It means a great deal to present the star on what would have been Beauden’s first birthday.”
Beauden’s Dad Richard said, “Being here today, seeing the faces of the staff who cared for Beauden and walking the corridors, hearing the beeps of the ventilators, just makes me feel close to Beauden. I have been watching Geordie Hospital for the same reason, and seeing Reverend Captain Katie Watson again, who did a lovely naming ceremony for Beauden while he was on the unit. We consider the unit his home, Bay 4 is his bedroom and home is found in people”.
The couple have also created ‘The Beauden Brave Fund’ in loving memory of their baby boy and aim to raise £50,000 this year to support Newcastle Hospitals Charity, split with local Neonatal charity the Tiny Lives Trust. The money will be raised through a series of outdoor activities and challenges.
The money raised through Beauden’s fund will be split 50/50 to support sick and premature babies through Tiny Lives, the charity associated with the NICU at the RVI and Newcastle Hospitals Charity, to fund vital research at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, based at the Institute of Genetic Medicine in Newcastle’s Centre for Life.
Beauden’s Dad Richard said, “Beauden did so much for his family in his short time with us. Following his diagnosis other family members were diagnosed and will now be monitored for complications associated with Myotonic Dystrophy. To continue Beauden’s legacy of ‘doing for others’ and to support the causes that supported him and us so well we established Beauden Brave. Through this, even though his life was too short, his name, his story and his legacy continues, and that means everything to us. We hope Beauden and his story inspires others to get involved and support these incredible and crucial services”
Teri Bayliss, charity director at Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: “We are extremely touched by Richard and Magda’s thoughtfulness and kindness. Beauden was a brave little boy and his memory will live on through the NICU Night Light, providing a source of comfort to us all, whilst the funding raised in his name will help us to continue making a difference to many people’s lives both today and tomorrow.”
Louise Carroll, Community and Events Fundraiser at The Tiny Lives Trust, said: “From the start of Beauden’s journey on the Neonatal Unit at the RVI, his family and their friends have supported Tiny Lives in many ways. It is clear just how many lives Beauden touched simply by looking at the challenges his family, friends and even strangers have taken on in memory of this brave little boy. We can’t thank Richard and Magda along with Beauden’s family and friends enough for what they have done for Tiny Lives. In the last year, they raised over £30k, enabling us to continue providing support for families who are just starting their journey on the Neonatal Unit and ensuring Beauden’s legacy will live on.’
Beauden’s Mummy and Daddy set up Beauden Brave in May 2021 in loving memory of Beauden. In 2021 Beauden Brave raised £30,000 for Tiny Lives. In 2022, they aim to raise £50,000 to be shared between Tiny Lives and Newcastle Hospitals Charity. To find out more or to donate visit beaudenbrave.org
We registered the star ‘NICU Night Light’ in the same constellation as Beauden’s to reflect our love and appreciation to those who looked after him. It means a great deal to present the star on what would have been Beauden’s first birthday
Magda Beauden's Mum
