Grateful grown-up - A big thank you to doctor 21 years on

The 21st birthday of a student was marked in a special way at the weekend, when he met the doctor who helped to save his life.

Tom Noble, of High Street, Collingham, was born on October 25, 1988, at Grantham Hospital. He weighed only one kilo and was about 11 weeks early. Tom was due to be been born on January 16, 1989.

Tom, now in his third year at the University of Northampton studying performing arts, was cared for on the special care baby unit at Grantham.

He was in an incubator for several weeks and his condition was monitored 24 hours a day. He was finally allowed home on December 30, 1988.

On Saturday, Tom and his father, Mr Granville Noble (53) and one of his brothers, Alex Noble (22) met the consultant paediatrician who cared for Tom, Dr Charith Nanayakkara.

The meeting marked Tom’s 21st birthday on Sunday.

Tom’s mother, Mrs Beverley Noble, who died last year, had complications throughout her pregnancy with Tom and feared he may not survive.

Mr Noble said: “We said at the time Tom was born that we would like to do something like this. Beverley and I thought it would be a nice gesture to go back and see him.”

Mr Noble said Tom got on famously with Dr Nanayakkara, who now works part-time in Kettering, and it was lovely for them to show the doctor how Tom had grown up.

Mr Noble said: “I told Tom that his mother would have been very proud.”

Tom said: “Dr Nanayakkara and his team ensured I had the best possible start in life. My family and I are extremely grateful for the quality of care and support they all demonstrated.

“When I was small, my parents spoke of this meeting — it was amazing to finally meet Dr Nanayakkara and thank him personally.”

Mr Noble contacted Dr Nanayakkara a few weeks ago.

Mr Noble said: “Dr Nanayakkara always came across as really nice. I liked his manner, the way that he conducted himself and the way he explained things. He cared about every one of those babies in there, he was fantastic.

“Tom needed a lot of help and Dr Nanayakkara and his team saw him through it. He was a gentleman, nothing was too much trouble.”

Mr Noble said Tom grew up leading a healthy lifestyle. Tom even won an award at John Hunt Infants’ School, Balderton, for not having a day off.