Ingham couple honour late daughter with $8,000 donation to neonatal unit

An Ingham couple has turned their heartbreaking loss into a beacon of hope for others by raising thousands of dollars for Townsville University Hospital’s neonatal unit in memory of their daughter, Lucy. This is their story.

Alexandra Meehan and Alexander Campbell.

An Ingham couple have celebrated the life of their late daughter by raising thousands of dollars for Townsville University Hospital’s neonatal unit.

Alexandra Meehan and Alexander Campbell’s baby daughter, Lucy Margaret Campbell, was born in February at Ingham Hospital.

Suffering from complications, she was rushed to the Townsville University Hospital, where she sadly passed away eight days later.

During Lucy’s last days, the family spent five nights in the unit’s Butterfly Room, a designated space for families to spend their final moments together.

“It is such a beautiful space to be with your baby without all the noises and machines and to feel normal for a while,” Ms Meehan said.

Wanting to give back to the neonatal unit and support other families, Ms Meehan and Mr Campbell raised $8000, which allowed them to donate five recliner chairs to the unit.

Neonatal staff specialist Dr Susan Ireland, Alexandra Meehan, Alexander Campbell.

Each chair has a plaque with the words ‘Love from Lucy.’

The couple said they wanted to offer their thanks to the hospital staff and honour the life of their daughter.

“The entire Townsville Hospital and Health Service, from my amazing midwifery care in Ingham to the neonatal unit in Townsville, is literally world-class,” Ms Meehan said.

“The nurses made our time with Lucy as beautiful as it could possibly be.”

“We wanted Lucy’s short time here to bring as much light to others as possible.”

Mr Campbell said the name Lucy meant ‘bringer of light’.

A plaque affixed to each donated recliner reads 'love from Lucy'.

“Lucy was a very wanted and loved baby and was named the Taylor Swift of the unit because of how many people came to visit her,” he said.

After her passing, Mr Campbell and Ms Meehan said they felt a need to do something.

“We didn’t want flowers and gifts and that sort of things, so instead, we put fundraiser information on her celebration of life information,” Mr Campbell said.

Neonatal staff specialist Dr Susan Ireland said Lucy would always hold a special place in the hearts of the hospital staff.

Registered nurse Tahlia Bates, Alexandra Meehan, Alexander Campbell, Dr Susan Ireland.

“To have an enduring memory of her with the generous donation of the recliners is wonderful,” she said.

Registered nurse Tahlia Bates was a member of the retrieval team that travelled to Ingham and transported Lucy to the Townsville University Hospital.

She said Lucy was a ‘gorgeous little girl’ and that her parents were ‘incredibly strong’ during their time at the hospital.

“Alexandra and Alexander’s donation means that our nurses can easily find a care to provide a warm, safe space to parents for cuddles and kangaroo care,” Ms Bates said.

Originally published as Ingham couple honour late daughter with $8,000 donation to neonatal unit