'The neonatal unit became our home for the next 52 days' - Limerick parents' ambitious fundraiser

A LIMERICK couple is raising money to have children’s books donated to the University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) Neonatal Unit, following their daughter Sophie’s tough start to life.

Darren and Lisa McAlinden, who live in Dromtrasna, Abbeyfeale, have raised more than €2,500 since starting a GoFundMe page to raise money for parents and their “little warriors” who are forced to spend time in the UMHL Neonatal Unit, just as they had with Sophie.

Born six weeks early just before Christmas last year, Sophie spent a total of 52 days in the unit before they could finally bring her home in February, 2025.

“Having a baby admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) after birth is an experience that can never be fully explained,” said Darren, who is originally from Banbridge, Co Down.

“Lisa didn’t get that first cuddle with Sophie after birth that she always dreamed of. Instead, she was whisked away and Lisa first properly saw her precious baby girl through the casing of an incubator with many different tubes and wires attached and a tiny mask on her little face.

READ ALSO: New neonatal unit in Limerick maternity hospital to 'transform' premature baby care

“The neonatal unit became our home for the next 52 days and the staff made every effort to make the experience as normal as possible. They celebrated every milestone, took our first family photo on Christmas day and gathering around to wish us farewell on day 53 when we were discharged home.”

Since Sophie’s discharge, the married couple have wanted to show their appreciation for all the care and support given to their family and set up the GoFundMe page with a goal of €250, which they have exceeded by tenfold.

“During neonatal babies' earliest days, a lot of emphasis is on encouraging bonding between the child and the mother such as skin to skin contact which can encourage breastfeeding,” said Lisa, from Abbeyfeale, whose maiden name is Dalton.

“Darren began reading to Sophie in the hope that she would recognise his voice and they could bond in a different way. A number of staff members commented on this and said it was good to see dads reading to their babies.”

Additionally, a new two-storey neonatal unit at UMHL has been unveiled, with the extension now completed after five years.

The project, representing an HSE investment at a total project cost of €9.7m, is thought to be “completely transformative” for premature babies, their parents and staff.