Dad’s kayak challenge raises thousands for baby unit

A dad whose son spent seven weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has returned to the unit to hand over £7,700 raised from a kayak challenge.

Nate Gregory, from Cromer, spent three days on the Norfolk Broads from September 15, kayaking 100km for his Paddling for Preemies challenge.

Nate and his wife Holly spent seven weeks in the NICU after their son Eben was born by emergency caesarean section at 29 weeks in 2021, weighing 3lb 2oz.
The family returned to the unit to thank the staff for their care of Eben and hand over the cheque. Nate said: “Their incredible team saved his life and we were able to bring him home – although, devastatingly, this isn’t the case for all families.
“I will never be able to repay what the incredible team at NICU did for my family during that time. The preemie warriors fight every single day, and the staff care for them around the clock.”

PROUD DAD: Nate cradles Eben shortly after his birth.

The challenge started at Horstead Mill where he travelled down the River Bure all the way to Great Yarmouth, crossing Breydon Water, and then along the River Yare, finishing in Norwich city centre. Things were made much more difficult with a yellow wind warning in place in place on his first leg, 45mph gusts across Breydon Water on the second leg and a whole day of rain for his final leg.

CHARITY CHALLENGE: A happy Nate during his challenge.

Nate ended up paddling 10km more than his expected 90km and smashed through his £7,000 fundraising target.

Nate, who runs NGMA Martial Arts academy in North Norfolk, also held a charity bingo event and raffle to raise money for the NICU.

Lynn Crombie, from the N&N Hospitals Charity, said: “On behalf of the team in NICU, we would like to thank Nate and everyone who supported him during his epic challenge.
“This incredible fundraising challenge will help us support our NICU babies and families and make such a difference to the work we can do.”
If you would like to support the N&N Hospitals Charity, contact them via email at charity@nnuh.nhs.uk

THANK YOU: Nate Gregory and his family hand over the cheque to hospital staff.

FATHER AND SON: Nate Gregory with Eben.