Friday, November 21, 2008
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CASH IDEAS BORN OF BABY UNIT PLEA

By Elaine Squire - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A TARGET of £700,000 is needed to modernise and re-locate the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU), at St Mary’s Hospital.
Fiona Collyer, appeal fundraiser, said: “The appeal is gathering great pace and we’re doing our best to get information and fundraising packs out to the community.
“There are so many ways people can get involved, from delivering leaflets and putting up posters to organising fundraising events and even donating used stamped envelopes.”
The appeal’s Born To theme has already proved successful, with recent events including Born To Ryde, IW Speedway’s fundraising event, at Smallbrook Stadium, which raised £972, and Born To Think, a quiz night, at the Riverside Centre, Newport, which raised £400.
With the IW Festival approaching, fundraisers are now hoping people may get involved in Born To Party or rock music-themed events.
The appeal is of special interest to many Islanders, including Bev Hayles, of Winkle Street, Calbourne, personal assistant to the head of midwifery and mother of former patient Will Hayles, 19, who is studying exercise science, health and rehabilitation at Bournemouth University.
Bev said: “Will had to spend a day in the unit because I had a caesarean under general anaesthetic.
“There have been so many advances in the last 30 years in treatment and equipment, for instance incubators are now five times the size, so more space and a better layout is much needed.
“So many people on the Island seem to know someone with experience of the unit so we hope lots of people will get involved.”
More information is available from www.barelyborn.co.uk.