Life Flight

“They say aches and pains are all part of growing a baby,” she recalls.

But when her energy suddenly plummeted a few days later, Julia grew worried. She went to get checked out, and ended up at Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

All my tests were coming out fine, but I had to stay overnight. I told my husband, Fergus, to go home and get ready for school the next day. He’s a teacher.

That night, everything changed. Julia began bleeding. The doctors, nurses, and Julia’s midwife all leapt into action – and in just 15 minutes, baby Ardie was born.

It was that fast. They whisked him away. I didn’t know if he was alive for a good hour or so. I was in shock.

Born far too early, little Ardie was in critical condition – and Julia had no idea if he was going to be alright. It was an extremely frightening time.

This is where our supporters made such an incredible difference. By supporting Life Flight, they made sure that little Ardie could immediately be flown to Wellington’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

While Julia hadn’t flown with Ardie to Wellington, she wasn’t far behind – with Life Flight there again to help.

But this wasn’t the last time your donations helped save Ardie’s life.

Not long after returning to the Hawke’s Bay, Ardie developed a deadly infection; he needed to get back to Wellington – fast.

And your support meant our Air Ambulance crew were there.

They always let you know what was happening. They supported you and kept you calm. You knew that your baby was in safe hands. I just can’t fault it

It gave Julia and Fergus peace of mind that Ardie was in the best place possible, with the best people possible, at every stage.

“Ardie jumped on four Life Flights all together between Hawke’s Bay and Wellington. Having Life Flight there for us meant everything.”

Today, we’re delighted to share that Ardie has fully recovered, and is a happy, healthy, and thriving young boy.