This years Keep Me Close Appeal annual ball has raised a staggering £7230.60 for Plymouth Hospitals Charity. Coordinated by dedicated fundraiser Tracey Stacey, this glamourous yearly event drew over 200 guests including families, health care staff and local businesses. Guests made the event a huge success by taking part in the evening’s entertainment and donating along the way.

The money raised from this event will go on to support the provision and development of parental accommodation for those parents of babies who are being cared for on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Tracey Stacey explains, “It is such a privilege to see how much this means to people within our community and the real generosity of others. When we all come together to an event like this, the incredible atmosphere makes me realise the phenomenal and life-changing impact that the Keep Me Close appeal has on our patients and their loved ones. The money raised will enable us to continue making a difference to those during a really difficult time in their lives and to deliver the most patient-centric care possible Thank you so much to all of our suppliers and donors for helping us to have an amazing evening.”

Corinne Bailey, Charity Manager added, “I am continually blown away by people’s generosity and we are inspired by our patients and their families everyday. We’re really grateful to everyone who donated and was involved in the event.”

 

For information:

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Plymouth cares for babies born from around the Devon and Cornwall peninsula who have either been born prematurely or with other life-threatening illnesses. As the ward has the highest level of expertise and equipment, the ward cares for babies from all over the South West and babies are often transferred in from other hospitals for a higher level of care when needed. It is the only ward of its type this side of Bristol. In 2014 alone, the ward cared for 1209 babies and their families.

The Keep Me Close appeal is aimed at providing parental accommodation for the parents of babies we care for on the ward. Because of the nature of the babies we care for, parents are encouraged to remain close by to promote bonding, maternal and paternal mental health as well as getting involved in their baby’s care which is in itself intrinsic to the development of their child. The time a baby is on the ward, we house as many parents as possible in our on-site accommodation based on the unit. This is generally reserved for those parents who are displaced away from their home hospital and currently we are only able to house four sets of parents. With the extreme preterm infants who can expect a stay in hospital for over 100 days, this is an extremely expensive and long time to be away from your home and immediate family.