A BABY rescued from the brink of death will be celebrating his first birthday next week.
Theo Mikova was just one day old when he became the first infant to fly in the Children's Air Ambulance.
On Monday, the charity will be celebrating the first anniversary of its maiden patient transfer, as well as the first birthday of its first patient.
Theo was born in Scarborough Hospital on May 12, last year, weighing just 4lb 4oz and fighting for his life.
His oesophagus had failed to join correctly to his stomach and he was unable to swallow.
He needed life-saving surgery and was flown to Hull Royal Infirmary's paediatric intensive care unit.
His dad Lee Ratchford, 27, said: "As soon as the word 'surgery' was mentioned I started crying and so did Theo's mum Denisa.
"There was a real possibility that Theo wouldn't survive unless he got to a hospital that could perform the surgery he needed.
"It was the most traumatic experience.
"But we were assured everything would be all right.
"We thought we would be going by land ambulance but then the helicopter came for him.
"We were just so grateful that Theo was safe and being looked after in the helicopter."
Making the journey by land ambulance would have taken at least an hour – but riding in the Children's Air Ambulance meant the transfer from Scarborough to Hull took just 15 minutes.
While on board, Theo was looked after by the Embrace Yorkshire and Humber Infant and Children's Transport Service, which is part of Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust.
He then had his life-saving operation at Hull Royal Infirmary. He recovered well and went home a few days later.
Since that day, the service has carried out 38 baby transfers and 31 clinical transfers.
Its helicopters have visited 22 cities and flown more than 22,000 miles.
All of this has been achieved without any Government funding and solely through generous donations made by the public.
Dr Stephen Hancock, lead consultant for Embrace who was in charge of Theo's care on the helicopter, said: "In Theo's case, as with most of the cases we deal with on a daily basis, getting the patient to the treatment they need in the fastest amount of time is paramount.
"However, time is not the only factor we have to consider when moving a patient.
"It could also have been potentially dangerous to move Theo by road due to the fragility of his condition.
"We are far behind other western countries in the provision of air transfer for paediatric patients and are thankful for the work that The Children's Air Ambulance has been doing this past year."
The charity needs to raise £134,000 every month to keep its helicopter flying.• Visit the Children's Air Ambulance website or call 08454 130999 to make a donation to the charity's First Birthday Appeal.
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