A SIX-month old “miracle baby” continues to fight for his life after spending his entire life so far in hospital.

Chester Graves, from Benfleet, was born 187 days ago, at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, with his identical twin brother Otis.

Both boys had to be induced prematurely, just 28 weeks into the pregnancy on July 15, 2021, after doctors discovered that Chester was not growing as he should be in the womb which caused his growth to be restricted.

The decision gave Chester a chance at survival, whilst also putting Otis’ life in danger too.

Despite Chester weighing only 1 lb 1 oz at birth, and Otis 3lb 7 oz, both boys are thankfully still here, with Otis now at home with his three other siblings.

The boys’ mum Kelly Graves said: “My darling Chester has fought so hard in these last six months, and I just pray that he can continue to be the little miracle he is.

“I need him home with us all, my children are desperate to meet their little brother after waiting so long.”

Chester has been an in-patient at Southend, Chelmsford and Addenbrooke’s hospitals throughout his short life, which has seen him catch NEC, the deadly disease that is the main cause of death in premature babies, followed by sepsis two weeks later. He also had to undergo laser surgery to his eyes to try to prevent him for being blind.

However, he had been making progress and even left neonatal intensive care - until the last few days of 2021 when he suddenly needed more oxygen and had to be reventilated.

Because of that Chester then had to be transferred back from Southend to Addenbrooke’s, causing more financial strain for the family.

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The hospital are now deciding what the next step is for Chester to stabilise his condition, before he can eventually be helped to get home to his family and meet his siblings for the first time.

Due to Kelly having to spend the last six months in hospital, and dad Billy being at home looking after Otis and his older siblings, Phoebe, 10, Florence, 8, and Albert, 5, the couple have both have had to give up their jobs, as a home fragrance employee and a lift engineer. This has left the family struggling financially.

Kelly’s sister Sam Honey has set up a GoFundMe fundraising page where friends and well-wishers can help support the family financially while Chester continues his fight in hospital.

Sam said: “My sister and her family have been through hell in this last six months, but they have been so strong throughout.

“She is living in Cambridge with Chester while their other children are back in Benfleet, so it is so hard to try and support the children, pay their mortgage and bills while not only not working but having to deal with the heartbreak of watching their son fight for his life.”

Sam added: “They have been through so much as a family and I would love to give them one less worry.

“Please if you can spare anything, no matter how big or small, I know how much it would be hugely appreciated.”

If you would like to help support the family, you can contribute to the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-chesters-family?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer 

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