Throughout the year hundreds of kind-hearted local people, community groups, schools and businesses have dug deep to support the Big Push, a campaign managed by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), the dedicated charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.
From athletics to zumba and baking to wedding fairs, people have been busily working their way through the A to Z of fun fundraising events to help give babies born in Cambridge the best possible start in life. They have donned fancy dress, baked cakes galore, hosted family fun days and completed all kinds of sponsored sporting challenges. People have also been buying iconic pink Rosie wristbands from local outlets.
The extra cash raised will help fund all kinds of extra equipment to benefit new babies, women and their families as part of the programme to modernise and expand the Rosie Hospital. The new three-storey extension opened in September 2012. It has doubled the size of the maternity unit so that the Rosie can continue to offer the very best standard of ante-natal and post-natal care. Extra items funded by donations could range from birthing stools, scales for weighing newborns, breast pumps, cots, blankets and infant stethoscopes to high-tech equipment including hand-held dopplers for listening to a baby’s heart in utero, neopuff infant resuscitators and mobile blood pressure machines.
Amanda Cahn, Associate Director of Operations for Women’s Services, said: “Hitting our Big Push target is a fantastic Christmas present for all the midwives, doctors, nurses and ancillary staff here. It really makes a difference to know that there is such amazing support within our local community. As one of the region's busiest maternity hospitals, our facilities have been under huge pressure in recent years. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated. Every penny adds up to ensure that we can do that bit extra for expectant mums and their babies.”
Michelle Gray, Head of Community Fundraising at ACT, added: “On behalf of everyone at Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, we want to say an enormous thank you to our fabulous local community – everyone has been so generous. Raising £150,000 in the current climate is a tremendous achievement and we really appreciate everyone’s support. The Rosie touches so many of us locally. It’s been wonderful to meet all the people who have been keen to share their inspirational stories and offer their support. We can’t thank everyone enough.”
Fundraiser Ruth Sandland, 35, has welcomed the news. Her 15-month old son Marley was born 8 weeks early by emergency caesarean at the Rosie in September 2011. She said: “Before and after Marley was born I spent almost 4 weeks in the Rosie. It’s only when you see what goes on at a maternity hospital that you realise how much there is to be thankful for and what the financial cost is. The amazing care that we received was only possible due to incredible staff and top-of-the-range equipment. But the facilities were definitely stretched. It’s so good to see the difference that the expansion and modernisation has made. If it all helps to save the life of another baby like mine, there can never be enough words to say thank you.”
Helen Sweeting, 41, an assistant head teacher who lives in Harston, gave birth to new daughter Elena Grace in the new midwife-led birth centre on 17 December 2012. It was a contrast to the birth of her first child who was born in the Rosie delivery unit two years ago. Helen said: “I had my first child, Will, in the delivery unit because he had to be induced. I can’t speak highly enough of the delivery unit but the new birth centre has a very calm, relaxed atmosphere. I felt very supported by all the staff but completely in control, which was very empowering. I was able to give birth in the water bath with no pain relief. It has been fantastic.”
The official opening of the new Rosie Hospital is scheduled to take place in spring 2013.
For more details about The Rosie Hospital Campaign see www.therosiecampaign.org.uk. For more information about supporting the Rosie Hospital or Addenbrooke’s in the future, please see the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust website at www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk or call 01223 217757.
ACT would like to thank all the donors, fundraisers, community groups and organisations that have helped to support the Big Push throughout 2012, including:
· Everyone who donated at the Grafton, Scotsdales, Strawberry Fair, Arbury Carnival and other street collections
· The Anglia Ruskin University team that organised Rosie in the Park in April
· Rachel Claxton in Peterborough who held raffles, online auctions and dyed her hair pink
· Tony Dorling in Thetford who held a charity band night and football tournament
· Sam Crawley, Andy Kulina, Jackie Lince and Sue Dougan who ran the London Marathon
· Darren Rivers who took part in the Dubai Triathlon
· The Sam’s Walk team that trekked 23 miles from the Rosie to Hinchingbrooke
· Romsey Mill Young Parents who organised a sponsored buggy push
· De Freville Avenue residents who raffled cakes at their Jubilee Street Party
· Organisers of the Kieran Mallett golf day held near Colchester in June
· Charlie McLaughlin who organised the Shelford Olympics family fun day
· Sabrina Melvin who hosted a high-energy zumbathon in September
· Sporty mums Kathryne Scully and Natalie Yates who ran half-marathons
· The 200 runners who took part in the Grantchester Cricket Club fun run
· Sue Dougan who hosted a Bridesmaid’s theme night at Saffron Screen
· Callum Jeray who hosted a coffee morning in Melbourn
· Vicki Best who organised fundraising events in St Ives and Rampton
· Crafty Mrs B aka Anneka-Marie Browne who held a craft fair in Bourn
· Flair Catering who held a raffle at its Wedding Expo
· Cambridge University medical students who raised funds at their Christmas panto
· Amanda-Jayne Bradbury for completing the gruelling Grim Challenge
· Guests at King’s College Christmas gala dinner with the King’s Singers
· And many more individuals whose contribution to the Big Push is thoroughly appreciated.
Rosie wristband stockists including A1 Trophies; the Cambridge News; the Castle and Cambridge Blue pubs; CafféNero in Cambridge; Chesterton Road Spar; Chippy’s in Haverhill; Daisy Chain gifts in Histon; Gymophobics; Heffers Booksellers; John Lewis; Kwik-Fit in Cherry Hinton; The White Swan in Quy; The White Horse in Ridgewell; Spirit Health Club at the Holiday Inn in Impington; and Beckwith Dentists in Saffron Walden.
Businesses such as PEM, Ridgeons, Bright Publishing and Sainsbury’s Local, which are among the caring companies that have chosen the Rosie as their charity of the year.
Children, students and staff at the Perse School; Histon & Impington Infants School; Ridgefield Primary School; Chesterton Community College; Anglia Ruskin University; Mepal and Witcham CE Primary School; Grasshoppers Day Nursery; Bewick Bridge Primary School; St Bede’s Inter Church School; Linton Village College; Hurworth House School; The Perse Pelican School; and the Perse Preparatory School.
Plus Bassingbourn Parish Church; Evergreen Florists; the Gog Magog Farm Shop; Farrans Construction Ltd; and Yorkshire Building Society.
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