THE BIRTH and Babies Appeal for Warwick Hospital has reached its first milestone.
South Warwickshire Foundation Trust is currently building a maternity-led unit at the Lakin Road hospital.
A £200,000 appeal was launched in April – to pay for additional extras, such as special baby cribs and birthing pools to improve the experience for mothers, babies and families – and since then supporters have raised £20,000 towards the target.
The funds will pay for added comforts at Warwick Hospital’s new Maternity Led Unit.
Fund-raisers plan to continue their hard work, with a Winter Wonderland Ball just one of the upcoming events.
Catering company ‘Top Nosh’ is hosting the ball at Leamington Town Hall on Saturday December 9. It will include entertainment, a three-course meal, drinks and a raffle.
Company owner Jenny Harding said: “Having had two babies at Warwick in the last four years, I felt this was a great opportunity to give something back.
“The Winter Wonderland Ball is going to be a fantastic evening; we have already received great support in making it a night to remember for guests.”
With the unit due to open next year, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust director of development Jayne Blacklay is urging people to continue supporting the appeal.
She said: “We have been overwhelmed with the support for the new midwife led birthing unit so far. The community has come together to make it the best it can be and events like the ball will help us to do that.
“We have had a fantastic response since launching the appeal, but I would like to encourage more people to get involved and help in any way you can.”
Tickets to the ball cost £55 per person or £400 for a table of eight.
Visit buytickets.at/topnosh to book or find out more.
Email [email protected] to find out more about supporting the appeal.
AN AMBASSADOR for the appeal has spoken out about what the new unit will mean for local families.
Judy Groves, who is appeal ambassador and marketing director at The Rigby Group – which offered a generous donation towards Stratford Hospital’s cancer unit – has said how important the service was.
She said: “I was delighted when I first heard about the plans for new maternity services at Warwick Hospital. I think it is fantastic women are going to have the option of giving birth in a serene and relaxed environment.
“I am supporting the Birth and Babies Appeal because I want local families to have access to first class birthing facilities. The money raised will help make this possible.
“Thanks to fundraising, the new birthing centre will offer enhanced equipment and furnishings. These extras will help to make such an important experience even more special. For this reason I would encourage everyone to get behind the appeal and help us to make South Warwickshire’s new birthing centre the best it can be.”
A HOSPITAL director is set to take on her third challenge in four months to raise money for the new birthing centre.
South Warwickshire Foundation Trust director Helen Lancaster has recently completed the Two Castles run and the Stratford Triathlon.
But she shows no signs of slowing down, and on Sunday October 15 will run the Birmingham Half Marathon.
She said: “In the past I have been head of midwifery and this new birthing centre is something I am very passionate about. The fundraising from the appeal will ensure that the unit is the best that it can be. I have also really enjoyed challenging myself with these events.”
So far the director has raised some £4,000 through sponsorship alongside her teammates. She will take on the half marathon with a team of runners from the hospital.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helen-lancaster3 to donate or find out more.
THE BIRTH and Babies Appeal has received a donation following a family fun day.
Science experiments, soft play and a visit from police and paramedics highlighted the fund-raising event at St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre in Warwick.
A number of other events are also planned to raise money for the appeal.
These include a silent disco for all the family, where music is played through light-up headphones. Glow sticks, refreshments, crafts and glitter tattoos will also be available during the event at Warwick Gates Community Centre between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday (October 28).
The event is being organised by Nikki Francis, Founder of Mum Knows Best Warwickshire and ‘Take it from Mummy’ website.
Tickets cost £5 with fancy dress optional but preferred.
Visit www.buytickets.at/swft to book.
And just for adults, there will be a prosecco and pudding party at Merchants Wine Bar in Warwick from 7pm on Friday October 20.
Visit www.buytickets.at/birthandbabies to book.
