The 26 June event, which was organised by Chesterton’s Student Voice representatives, was a non-uniform day when students, teachers and staff were invited to come to school in baby-themed costumes with prizes for the best outfits. Fundraising activities included cake sales, baby-related guessing games, a teacher murder mystery stall and much more. Rosie Rabbit, the six-foot campaign mascot, also put in a special appearance.
Mark Patterson, Head at Chesterton Community College said: “When our Student Voice representatives suggested holding a fundraising event for the Rosie Hospital, where many of them were born, we had no hesitation in giving it the thumbs up. We have over 900 students here, many of them Rosie babies. Encouraged by Student Voice coordinator Siobhan Murphy, each form ran its own fundraising activity and students came up with some fantastic ideas. At Chesterton we take great pride in encouraging a strong community ethos among our students and are very happy to support such a worthwhile cause. The whole event was a lot of fun!”
Trudy Harper, ACT Community Fundraising Manager for the Rosie Hospital Campaign, said: "We are so grateful to Chesterton Community College. It's especially inspiring that a whole generation of students born at the Rosie are so enthusiastic about doing something fun to benefit future Rosie babies. Events like this really make a difference. And hopefully, Chesterton’s initiative will encourage other schools, nurseries and community groups to get involved."
The Rosie Hospital Campaign is being managed by ACT, the dedicated charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals. To find out more go to: www.therosiecampaign.org.uk
About the Rosie Campaign
The Rosie Hospital is recognised as one of the finest maternity hospitals in the country. Supported by charitable funding, the Rosie opened in 1983, since when much has changed. It was designed for approximately 4,000 births a year. In 2010-11 almost 5,800 babies were born at the Rosie and by 2020 that number is expected to increase to 7,500.
The new three-storey extension and modernisation programme will almost double the size of the existing maternity unit and mean the Rosie can continue to offer pregnant women, their families and new babies the very best standard of care. Facilities will include:
· A brand new midwife-led birth centre with ten en-suite rooms for women with a low risk pregnancy
· An expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 58 cots for babies born early or in need of specialist attention
· A new residential centre with eight en-suite bedrooms, a rest area and kitchen. This will be available for parents that have babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
· A new Fetal Medicine and Day Assessment Unit for monitoring pregnant women and fetal development
· A dedicated counselling suite offering professional support when outcomes are not as planned.
For patients and staff these new world-class resources will make an enormous day-to-day difference. With extra space available, staff will be able to help more women give birth in the comfort of their local hospital. The transformed Rosie will be a regional centre of clinical excellence for training and will aim to set new standards of care by advancing antenatal and neonatal development through research.
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