Sunrise Neonatal Unit brings the sunshine on World Prematurity Day
Staff from North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust’s neonatal intensive care unit (Sunrise Neonatal) celebrated World Prematurity Day with an awareness and fundraising event raising over £1,200 for North Mid Charity.
World Prematurity Day (17 November) is a global movement to raise awareness of premature birth and the sometimes-devastating impact it can have on families.
Hosting a stall in the hospital’s atrium, the team put on an amazing spread of cakes, sweet treats, t-shirts and items kindly donated by partners who support our neonatal unit.
Events on the day were also supported by the ABC Parents Group, North Mid Smoking Cessation Team and Connected Communities.
One of the supporters was Camp Simcha who are a lifeline for Jewish families coping with serious childhood illness, providing a range of practical and therapeutic support services, as well as activities designed to bring hope and joy.
Camp Simcha Hospital Outreach Co-Ordinator Joanne Woolich explains:
“We have good connections with the play team, the community nursing team and meet with other teams, such as neonatal from time to time. Each year we send in Toy Drive toys and other miscellaneous items such as balloons and monkeys, as well as any specific items we can help the teams with. I have loved getting to know staff on the teams over the years and we were so pleased to be part of the hospital’s World Prematurity Day activities.”
The neonatal team also received a generous donation of hand creams by Bloom and Blossom which went down amazingly well with parents on the ward.
Alongside the celebratory event, the team hosted an awareness event where families of premature babies born at North Mid were invited to share their stories and build a network of other families who have experienced similar circumstances.
Hazel Manzano, matron for the neonatal unit at North Mid, said: “Having a premature baby can be a difficult time for new parents and we wanted to use World Prematurity Day as an opportunity to connect families who have had similar experiences so that they know they aren’t alone. I’m really pleased we were able to bring people together and raise money for North Mid Charity.”
If you would like to support the team with their campaign, you can do so by visiting their JustGiving page. All of the funds raised will go towards projects supporting the Sunrise Neonatal Unit at the hospital.
We have a number of campaigns currently running, and you can donate to them or to our general fund online .
If you would like to donate your time, money or gifts to other projects at North Mid Charity we would love to hear from you. Contact our fundraising manager on 020 8887 2935 or northmid.donations@nhs.net.