When life takes an unexpected turn, it’s often the compassion and expertise of others that carry us through. That was certainly the case for William and Alexandra Amey, whose son Ralph was born at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and required immediate neonatal care. Now, in a heartfelt gesture of gratitude, Cecil Amey Opticians & Hearing Care has chosen the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at N&N as their Charity of the Year.

William, a director at Cecil Amey, shared their story. “Everything was going smoothly. My wife was the first patient of the day for a planned Caesarean and the staff were amazing—calm, caring, and completely professional. But about 45 minutes after birth, Ralph started to grunt. A nurse from NICU assessed him immediately, and it was quickly decided he needed to be transferred for specialist care.”

Ralph spent several days in the NICU, transitioning through different rooms as he recovered, before finally spending his last night with his parents in one of the dedicated family flats within the unit. The Ameys utilised many of the unit’s support areas, including the pump room, rest areas, and McKee House accommodation—facilities that exist thanks to generous donations and fundraising.

This deeply personal experience inspired the Cecil Amey team to give back. With 13 branches across Norfolk and Suffolk, the business will be raising money throughout the year to help the N&N Hospitals Charity purchase a vital piece of ophthalmology equipment for NICU.

The targeted equipment will allow clinicians to detect and manage Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a potentially sight-threatening condition that affects approximately 20% of babies born prematurely. The retina—the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye—normally develops fully by the end of pregnancy. In premature babies, this process can be disrupted, leading to abnormal vessel growth and possible vision loss.

ROP usually becomes visible at around 32 weeks post-conception, meaning early detection is crucial. The new imaging equipment will enable ophthalmologists to track changes in the eye over time using serial images, identifying early signs of disease progression and planning timely treatment. This dramatically reduces the risk of irreversible damage and loss of vision.

“We’re proud to support a cause so close to our hearts,” William said. “This is our way of giving back to the incredible NICU team who helped our son when he needed it most.”