A charity tractor fest in Ripon has raised £4,000 for the Leeds General Infirmary Neonatal Unit.
It was organised by Tom Tate after his newborn son recently spent time in intensive care at LGI with a life-threatening condition.
Mr Tate’s partner Sarah gave birth to their son, Freddie, three-and-a-half months ago.
But soon afterwards he was diagnosed with Atrial flutter, a type of abnormal heart rhythm that makes the heart beat too quickly.
Mr Tate said it was a frightening time for the family. He said:
“When he was born straight away we knew something wasn’t right. In a baby, Atrial flutter is life threatening.
“But after two weeks in intensive care at the LGI, they got him right, and they looked after me and Sarah.”
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Freddie is thankfully now at home and fighting fit, but his dad said he wanted to repay the hospital by raising money for the LGI Neonatal Unit through the Leeds Hospitals Charity.
Mr Tate is a member of West Yorkshire Tractor and Engine Club and around 80 vintage and modern tractors from the club attended F. Tate and Sons garden centre at Studley Road on September 24. It was also attended by the Yorkshire Vet, Peter Wright.
A total of £4,000 was raised, which will be used to transform the corridors in the neonatal ward. They have been renamed the ‘corridors of courage’ and will include pictures and stories to help other families through their hard times.
Mr Tate said:
“I’m absolutely amazed at how the day went. Massive thank-you to everyone who attended and donated, helping us raise a massive £4,000 for the LGI neonatal unit. It’s such an overwhelming feeling to gi\ve a huge amount of money to an excellent cause.”
