Kind-Hearted Medics Raised £5,900 For Newborns Facing Surgery

A dedicated ward sister at our hospital and her team have raised over £5,900 for very poorly babies in their care, following a special hospital fundraising day.

Claire Murray is the ward sister for our Neonatal Surgical Ward, where newborn babies, who may have been born with conditions such as gastroschisis and bowel obstructions are cared for after receiving life-changing surgery.

World Prematurity Day fundraiser

Claire and her dedicated colleagues are no strangers to fundraising, holding an annual charity raffle on World Prematurity Day each November. Moved to do even more this year, the compassionate clinicians delighted patients, families, staff and hospital visitors with summer fete activities, including a raffle and tombola, cakes and treats, freshly made samosas and children’s toys, raising over £5,900 in just one day.

Charitable funds play an important role in helping to transform experiences on the ward. They support the purchase of items such as Miniboos comforters, which can be a lifeline for mums and babies. These small cloth comforters soothe tiny, sick babies and, as they absorb the mum’s scent, they also help with mum and baby bonding, as handling the baby is sometimes limited immediately after surgery.

Donations have also helped fund improvements to the neonatal parents’ room, making the environment feel more restful and comfortable, as well as baby diaries to help families better understand their baby’s treatment and care, and specialist equipment such as positioning aids that minimise stress on tiny babies and help newborns as they grow.

Claire Murray said: “When a newborn baby needs surgery, families can suddenly find themselves facing some of the most frightening and uncertain moments of their lives.

“Charitable funding can make a real and lasting difference to that experience. Specialist equipment, better facilities, comfort items and resources all contribute to better care for babies and help make an unfamiliar hospital environment feel a little less scary for their families, all supporting our staff in providing exceptional care.”

Annie Eytle, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Being told your baby needs surgery in their first weeks of life is some of the most terrifying news a family can ever receive.

“We’re so grateful to Claire and her team for stepping up for patients, helping our hospital continue to deliver world class, specialist care, and improving experiences for families during their most frightening moments.”