Television presenter Nick Owen and internationally acclaimed comedian Felix Dexter launched Baby Lifeline’s appeal to raise £250,000 for life saving treatments for some of the West Midlands sickest babies.
The Midlands-based national mother and baby charity Baby Lifeline, is helping to raise the money to improve services for mums and newborns at Birmingham’s Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital.
Nick Owen, who is awaiting the imminent arrival of his second grandchild, said: “I am very proud to be associated with Baby Lifeline and to go for this challenging target.”
Judy Ledger, founder of Baby Lifeline, explains: ‘I am so pleased that the appeal will benefit Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust’s maternity services. I know many of the health professionals there, who are not only dedicated and enthusiastic about the care they give to mothers-to-be and their babies, but also very willing to go that extra mile. We hope people will come along to the first event, a comedy evening, to help show support for Baby Lifeline and have a few giggles along the way.”
One new mum, Ann White, whose daughter Olivia was born two days before at 33 weeks and is in the neonatal unit, said: “I had problems when I was 20 weeks pregnant and without the treatment I had then at Heartlands, I would have miscarried. Without everybody here many of these babies in the neonatal unit would not survive. Everyone is so helpful and encouraging.”
Joy Payne, the Trust’s Head of Midwifery, said: “It is wonderful that Baby Lifeline has chosen us to benefit from their anniversary appeal. It will mean we can buy life-saving equipment for some of the West Midlands’ sickest babies and improve the experience of women on our maternity wards.”
Nick Owen, long standing vice president of Baby Lifeline, and Felix Dexter, were joined at the appeal launch at Heartlands Hospital by founder of Baby Lifeline Judy Ledger, and the Trust’s head of midwifery Joy Payne and head of children’s nurses Jackie Edwards.
A comedy evening featuring Felix Dexter, Geoff Whiting, James Redmond and Hattie Hayridge kicks off the appeal at Birmingham City Football Club’s St Andrew’s Stadium on Friday 16 September. To book tickets, or for more information, please call 08476 422135 or visit http://www.babylifeline.org.uk/
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