His arrival in December, 2023 — born at 24 weeks old and weighing 699g — made headlines, and melted hearts, everywhere.

This week, 14 months on, gorgeous George’s bright smile and can-do spirit lit up the wards and clinics upon his return to the Royal Children’s Hospital for check-ups and scans.

He is being treated at the RCH for issues including bleeding on the brain and kidney disease.

His father, Daniel, said: “It’s been hard … and we’re getting over the hurdles, but we appreciate every day we have with him. We’re riding the waves of daily life with little George.”

George’s birth, 16 weeks premature, received national news coverage, and the tiny tot was rightly nicknamed a miracle baby.

“How can a human be so small and fragile?” Daniel asked.

“My wedding ring could fit over his hand and foot. Now you’d struggle to get it on his big toe.”

George’s mother, Jasmin, added: “As hard as those times were, it takes you to a happy place now because you realise how far he’s come.”

They family celebrated, cried, and held each other close through milestones including George’s first birthday, and Christmas.

“Honestly, we never thought we were going to get there,” Daniel said.
Looking proudly at his son, he added: You did it, mate.”

Dr Alison Wray, director of neurosurgery at the RCH, said: “George had a lot of obstacles, and he’s done a lot to overcome them. I think ‘miracle baby’ is an apt term for him.”

Daniel added: “He’s a miracle, a blessing and a little fighter. He … needed to prove doctors wrong and show them who’s boss.”

The family urged Victorians to donate to the 2025 Good Friday Appeal raising funds for the RCH.

Jasmin said: “Words cannot describe the miracles they do at the Royal Children’s Hospital.”