Stockport NHS Charity have launched an appeal for a new incubator which will help Stepping Hill Hospital’s neonatal team ensure newborn babies needing extra support can have the best possible environment for their start in life.
With over £29,780 of the £47,500 needed already raised, the charity is already well over half way there, and is now appealing for more fundraisers to help them meet the target.
The Drager Babyleo TN500 is a state-of-the-art incubator, also known as a resuscitaire, which will help to enhance care for poorly and premature babies. It is smaller than standard incubators so it can be used as a travel incubator, giving easier access for both parents and midwifery team should a baby need transporting to a special unit.
Other advantages of the incubator are a low noise level, minimised disturbance, and helping to allow ‘kangaroo (skin-to-skin) care’ , giving an overall enhanced experience for both parents and babies.
Stockport NHS Charity supports Stepping Hill Hospital and local community NHS services to help provide care for patients above and beyond the usual standard. The neonatal incubator appeal is their latest high profile appeal for this cause.
Two major fundraising events have added to the total so far. The Royal Nawaab Pyramid raised over £28,000 with a spectacular fundraising Royale Gala evening at the iconic restaurant late last year. The evening featured entertainment including aerial performers and live music with a host of special guests and a star prize raffle, thanks to restaurant owner Mahboob Hussain.
In February this year nursing consultancy Ealoor ran a Harmony Night event at Wythenshawe Forum celebrating their 25th anniversary and honouring international nurses, which also raised money for the incubator appeal. They raised over £1,760 on the evening filled with musical entertainment.
While over 62% of the total has already been raised, the charity still needs over £17,700 to make buying the incubator possible. The charity is appealing for volunteers to run their own fundraising events of all kinds to support the cause.
The charity is appealing for caring individuals that have secured a place in a run or challenge, and businesses, community groups and schools that would like to have a ‘Caring Cuppa Coffee Morning’ to help support tiny lives.
Kate Leadbeater, Stockport NHS Charity Manager said ; “This amazing lifesaving machine helps our newborn baby’s breath and keeps them warm. Please share in the care and help us continue providing lifesaving support to our premature and critically ill babies by supporting today. If your business, club, school would like to get involved in some fun fundraising to support tiny lives, we would love to hear from you. We would also love to hear from families whose babies we have cared for on Neonatal Unit at Stepping Hill Hospital.”
To help with the appeal and make a gift to support this life saving piece of equipment you can: