Making Warwick’s new birthing centre the best it can be
After launching in April 2017, the Birth & Babies Appeal has had a fantastic start raising £53,000 out of the £200,000 target for Warwick Hospital’s new midwifery led birthing centre.
Over the course of this year, the community has been extremely supportive of the fundraising efforts with a number of individuals, organisations and groups making donations and hosting events including family fun days, a gin and dessert night, a carol concert, a prosecco and pudding night, quiz nights and nearly new sales. As well as events, there have been several people who have challenged themselves to run, swim and cycle to raise sponsorship for the appeal. Birth and Babies supporters took part in the Two Castles 10km, the Birmingham Half Marathon, the Stratford Triathlon and the London Marathon with more planned for the New Year.
In September Ragley Hall in Alcester opened its gardens to 400 guests and their furry friends at a Teddy Bear Picnic, which raised £3,500. More recently, local catering company Top Nosh Food organised a Winter Wonderland Ball in aid of the appeal at Leamington Town Hall. Over 150 people attended the sparkling night raising nearly £9,000.
Commenting on the appeal so far, Director of Development at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, Jayne Blacklay, said: “I have been overwhelmed by the support for the appeal so far. The new birthing centre is going to be extremely beneficial for lots of local families in Warwickshire and the surrounding areas so it is lovely to see how everyone is getting involved.”
The development of the new centre will commence in January, with the opening planned for summer 2018. The Birth and Babies appeal will help make the birthing unit the best it can be. The Trust will be funding the build; however NHS funds only go as far as functional materials and equipment. The funds raised from the Birth & Babies Appeal will be invested into special enhancements that will make the facility fabulous for women and their families. Fundraising will enable the Trust to buy enhanced equipment like special baby cribs and stands, rather than standard plastic cots, as well as upgrade the furnishings to make the unit feel like a home-from-home and offer a birthing pool in each delivery room.
Any support or involvement that you can offer the appeal in 2018 will make a huge difference, to discuss this please contact the fundraising team on charity@swft.nhs.uk or call 01926 495321 ext. 8049.
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