Peterborough football manager who helps deliver his daughter hopes she will be lucky mascot for cup semi

Rob Ames had a day to remember last week as he rushed home from being a wedding usher to help deliver his new daughter - and now he is hoping that baby Alexa will be a lucky presence on the touchline as he seeks to lead AFC Stanground to cup glory this weekend.
Katie Staggs with baby Alexa Ames, dad Rob Ames, son Robbie Ames (5) and friend Emma Beeby  EMN-160224-171756009Katie Staggs with baby Alexa Ames, dad Rob Ames, son Robbie Ames (5) and friend Emma Beeby  EMN-160224-171756009
Katie Staggs with baby Alexa Ames, dad Rob Ames, son Robbie Ames (5) and friend Emma Beeby EMN-160224-171756009

When Katie Staggs’ water broke at the wedding of Gary and Laura Cox in Pidley near Huntingdon last Saturday, Katie and Rob were cheered out as they rushed to their Yaxley home in order to drop off five-year-old son Robbie.

Katie wanted to leave Robbie with family friend Emma Beeby before rushing to the Maternity Unit, but the plan was swiftly dashed as her contractions became more frequent, prompting Rob to call for an ambulance and help deliver their daughter as they waited for paramedics to arrive and complete the birth.

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And at 4.55pm little Alexa, weighing seven-and-a-half pounds, joined Robbie and daughter Alisha (13) as part of the family, with Rob (29) admitting that he was delighted to see paramedics Chris Porsz and Simon Branaghan knock on the front door.

Paramedics Chris Porsz and Simon Branaghan with new arrival AlexaParamedics Chris Porsz and Simon Branaghan with new arrival Alexa
Paramedics Chris Porsz and Simon Branaghan with new arrival Alexa

“They were like Batman and Robin,” he said. “They were right in the nick of time.

“They were really good, I can’t emphasise that enough.”

Rob, though, had a big part to play before the East of England Ambulance Service duo arrived, taking instructions from a call handler to make sure he did everything right.

He said: “I think parental duty took over. I was putting her in the middle of the bed and making sure there were towels underneath. It can only be instinct.

Baby Alexa with Robbie AmesBaby Alexa with Robbie Ames
Baby Alexa with Robbie Ames
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“Katie said she was very proud of me but she’s the real hero. It was just an amazing experience, something I can hold dear. The moment Alexa came out she was perfect in every way.”

Saturday was a doubly great day for Rob as AFC Stanground, which he manages, won 11-0. And in two days’ time he will have Alexa close by in her pram as he seeks to guide the team to victory in the Peterborough League President’s Shield semi-final against Pinchbeck United.

Rob, a welder for Bellview Windows in Yaxley, added: “The moral of the story is do not take a pregnant woman to a wedding. It was crazy.”

Mum Katie (29) is doing well after the birth, thanks in part to the work of Chris and Simon who joined them for photos after the delivery.

Paramedics Chris Porsz and Simon Branaghan with new arrival AlexaParamedics Chris Porsz and Simon Branaghan with new arrival Alexa
Paramedics Chris Porsz and Simon Branaghan with new arrival Alexa
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Chris (63), who compiles the Paramedic Paparazzo column for the Peterborough Telegraph, said: “The atmosphere in the house was fantastic. It was such a joyous and happy occasion. Everyone was beaming and smiling.

“It was just a lovely moment and we were made to feel a part of it. We said afterwards it was such a nice change from some of the sadder jobs that we do. It just made our day and we were buzzing the next day.”