Incubator push raises funds for NICU

Derriford Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have organised an incubator push on Saturday 30th May; hospital staff, parents and friends will be pushing an incubator from Plymouth City Centre to Derriford Hospital, covering approximately 10 miles, to raise funds for the ‘Keep Me Close’ campaign.

The campaign is aiming to raise £2 million to redevelop a new area of the hospital to provide the parents of babies on NICU with somewhere to stay, allowing them to remain close to their baby whilst they are in hospital.

Currently there are four rooms available, which are generally reserved for those parents who do not live in Plymouth. The NICU accommodates babies from across the Peninsula due to its designated status as a Level 3 unit – providing care to the smallest and sickest of infants. 

Tracey Clark, Fundraising Coordinator in NICU said: “The parents of the babies staying on NICU are encouraged to remain close at all times. During the time a baby is on the ward, we house as many parents as possible in our on-site accommodation, but currently we only have four rooms, which really isn’t enough.

“We want to be able to provide the parents of the babies with that all important home from home, with en-suite bedrooms, giving the families the space and privacy that these times require, fully functioning kitchens, to enable the parents to prepare nutritious meals and washing machines, to enable the parents to truly be able to survive away from home. We will also be able to provide family areas for the parents to be able to spend time with their families and, in particular, the other children of the parents.

“We are extremely passionate about trying to raise as much money as we possibly can for this incredible cause. This time in the parents’ lives will have an impact that they will not forget. We are constantly organising events to raise funds for the campaign including raffles, sponsored events and now the incubator push, which we are hoping will be a success.

“We are asking for £50.00 to sponsor one of our buckets with your name or logo and would really appreciate any support that we receive.”

If you would like to find out more or sponsor one of the buckets, please contact Tracey on 01752 439967 or email tracey.clark5@nhs.net.