Children gather to celebrate multiple births

Sep 14 2009 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

TWINS and triplets from across the region came together to celebrate multiple births yesterday.

The third annual ‘More than One’ event was held in Leazes Park, Newcastle, and was organised by Sandra Bosman, the UK’s first midwife specialising in mothers expecting multiple babies.

Sandra, who won Midwife of the Year 2007 and is based at Newcastle’s RVI, said: “The last two year’s events have been fabulous. We’ve met up with 170 sets of twins, three sets of triplets and one set of quads.

“So far we’ve managed to raise more than £20,000 and we’d love to beat that amount this year.”

Elizabeth and Stuart Kendrick, of Stocksfield, Northumberland, have two sets of twins, Matthew and Robert, 3, and Alice and Edward, six months.

Elizabeth, 33, a doctor at Chester-le-Street Community Hospital and Stuart, 34, a doctor at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, are thrilled with the level of support available at the RVI’s maternity unit.

Elizabeth said: “We’ve been coming to the events since they started. It’s nice to support the RVI as they’ve been fantastic to us.”

Melanie and Leonard Oliver, from Amble, Northumberland took their 21-week-old triplets Grace, Hannah and William along to the day.

Melanie, 30, said: “Where we live, there is no help for multiple birth babies, so it’s great to know that the RVI is there.”

To find out more, visit www.morethan1.org.uk.