The Neonatal Unit at St George’s Hospital cares for over 500 new-born babies each year (up to 35 at any one time) in the intensive, high dependency and special care nurseries at the hospital, which is based in Tooting, South West London.
In October 2009 my little angel “Scarlett” was one of these fortunate enough to be cared for as the St George’s Neonatal Unit. She was born at 32 weeks gestation (8weeks premature) and the reality is that a baby born early comes with risks and possible complications. The care, help and support of all the staff on the unit helped in us bringing home a small but healthy baby before Christmas.
As a result of the all the hard work and commitment of the staff on the unit I have targeted myself to raise £15,000.00 I have put together a sponsored group of cyclists that will be taking part in different events to help raise this target.
First Touch is the charity that funds vital medical equipment, specialist staff training, and a welfare scheme for families of babies born on the NNU.
Examples of the types of equipment needed are listed below:
- Ventilator- £25,000
- Transport Incubator- £36,000
- Incubator- £15,000 – £30,000
- Monitor- £12,000
- Asena intravenous pump- £1,400
- Specialist cots- £1,300
- Apnoea monitor- £600
- Breastfeeding chairs- £350
- Developmental items- £50 each
- Christmas stocking for a baby on the NNU- £10