Can you help us to create improved spaces for parents on our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Grimsby?
While the spaces for the babies themselves are purpose built to fit their needs, the flats we have to allow parents to stay close to their little ones could do with some TLC.
And to help raise money for them to be revamped, dedicated Senior Staff Nurses Melissa Gifford, Becky Horne, and Charlotte Southern, are organising NICU’s first ever charity ball – a Night of Little Miracles.
Charlotte said: “The parent flats we have now are functional, but they feel a bit clinical. “The parents aren’t patients, so we want to make it feel a bit less like a hospital room and a bit more comfortable and homely.”
After speaking to parents about what they think of the rooms, the team have some modest aims for the changes they would like to make but, together, they could make a big difference.
Becky said: “The beds are really old and uncomfortable, so we would like to replace them with something a bit nicer, which can still be wiped clean for infection control purposes, but would help them to get a decent night’s sleep.”
Charlotte added: “Other things we would like to be able to do are to have washing machine and dryer on the unit, so that we can have dedicated bedding up here for the parent flats and lamps so that they don’t have to have the main light on if one of them needs to get up in the night or they just want to relax.
“The rooms don’t have proper curtains either, so it would be nice to install some blinds, and to install some units around the beds where they can keep their things.”
The team would also like to install a couple more homely touches, such as TVs and fans to help make families more comfortable in the hot summer months, and to paint some of the walls in a less clinical style.
To do the work, they’re aiming to raise £15,000 – and that’s where you can help.
The ball itself is taking place on World Prematurity Day (Tuesday, November 17) from 5.30pm to 11.59pm, at the Oaklands Hotel, Grimsby.
Tickets, which are available here, include a three-course meal, live music, a DJ and other entertainment. There will also be fundraising fun on the night, including raffles, a silent auction and a host of games.
And, if you can’t make it on the night but would like to support this amazing cause, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Charlotte said: “We’re looking for table sponsors – which will include two tickets for the event – and would really appreciate it if any local businesses could donate raffle prizes for the night.”
If you believe you could help, please contact the team by emailing nlg-tr.[email protected]
