by STAR REPORTER

Davina Greer with Owen (left) and Charlie (right).

WHEN John and Davina Greer decided to have one more baby to complete their family, they never expected to get three.

Davina found out pretty early on that she was expecting identical triplet boys and was told that there was a 50% chance they would arrive between 28 and 32 weeks.

But at 27 weeks she was admitted to the Royal Maternity Hospital at Belfast. However, they didn't have room in the neo-natal unit for three babies and Davina was taken to the Princess Royal Maternity in Glasgow.

Six days after being transferred to Scotland, a scan revealed that the oxygen and blood flow going to one of babies was being restricted. Two days later another scan revealed it was necessary to deliver the babies.

Following an emergency C-Section on 7th August 2006, the triplet boys were born at 12.11, 12.13 and 12.14pm. Charlie came first weighing 21b, Owen was next weighing 21b 2oz and Harry was third weighing 11b 12oz.

The boys were ventilated and taken immediately to intensive care. They were struggling in intensive care and couldn't breath on their own and had sticky lungs. Charlie's lungs collapsed on several occasions.

But worse was to come as little Harry took an infection and sadly passed away on 30th August. Surviving triplets Charlie and Owen were transferred to the Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast and after about three weeks, due to a lack of neo-natal cots, moved again to Craigavon Hospital where they remained for about six weeks.

Davina and John's experience showed them how understaffed and underfunded these units are so on Saturday 22nd September John, together with Gary McCarter and the Rev Paul Dundas (Rector of Christ Church Parish) will abseil from the top of the Europa Hotel in Belfast to raise funds for the Neo Natal Unit at the Royal Maternity Hospital in Belfast, which houses the regional neo natal unit for the whole of Northern Ireland.

The Christ Church Parish team, who hope that people will be generous as well as coming to support' them on the day, say that all sponsorship for their abseil will be most welcome.

For more information on Davina and John Greer's appeal visit: www.neonatalappeal.com

Gary McCarter, Rev Paul Dundas and John Greer will abseil from the top of the Europa Hotel on Saturday 22nd September in aid of the Neo Natal Unit at the Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast.