Brave fundraisers descend Arrowe Park Hospital to support Tiny Stars Appeal
More than 130 brave fundraisers abseiled from the roof of Arrowe Park Hospital last weekend to support WUTH Charity's Tiny Stars Appeal, marking the return of one of the charity's flagship fundraising events.
The event was the first major charity abseil since fundraising activities were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing together hospital staff, grateful families and supporters to raise money for the appeal.
Launched in 2019, the Tiny Stars Appeal is WUTH Charity's first major flagship appeal, raising funds to transform the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Wirral Women and Children's Hospital. The Level 3 unit is one of only two specialist neonatal intensive care units in Cheshire and Merseyside, caring for the region's smallest and most vulnerable babies, including those born as early as 22 weeks.
Money raised through the appeal will help improve facilities for babies and their families by expanding clinical space around cots, enhancing accommodation for parents to stay close to their babies, upgrading specialist equipment and creating a more welcoming environment during what can be an incredibly difficult time.
Launching the event, quite literally, was Dr Nikki Stevenson, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, who became the first person to descend the hospital building.
Among those taking part was Stuart Chacksfield, whose son Sam was born at just 25 weeks at Wirral Women and Children's Hospital, weighing only 1lb 7oz (771g). Sam spent the first few months of his life in the Special Care Baby Unit, and Stuart was joined on the abseil by Sam's mother, Sue, and his partner, Jo-Anne.
Stuart said: "We'd never abseiled before, but we wanted to support the Tiny Stars Appeal so the hospital can keep on looking after babies like Sam. We're so grateful for the care we all received during those early days. Sam is now a lively seven year old who loves sports cars, motor racing and whizzing around on his new bike."
Also taking on the challenge was Sam Green, from Upton, Wirral, who completed the abseil for a second time. Sam, a pupil at Ridgeway High School, also spent time in the Special Care Baby Unit at Wirral Women and Children's Hospital after he was born.
Dr Nikki Stevenson, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: "It was a privilege to be the first to go over the edge of the building this year for such an important cause.
"Our Neonatal Unit provides specialist, life-saving care for some of the smallest and sickest babies in our region, and the Tiny Stars Appeal will help us continue improving the facilities available for babies and their families.
"It was inspiring to see so many people taking part, particularly families whose lives have been touched by our neonatal services. I would like to congratulate everyone who completed the challenge and thank everyone who generously supported the appeal."
Phil Crawford, Community and Events Fundraiser at WUTH Charity, said: "I'd like to say a huge thank you to every one of our incredible abseilers and to everyone who supported their fundraising.
"It was fantastic to see one of our flagship fundraising events return after the challenges of the pandemic. Every pound raised through the Tiny Stars Appeal will help us make a lasting difference for babies receiving specialist neonatal care and provide better facilities and support for families when they need them most.
"The generosity shown by our local community never ceases to amaze us, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the day such a success."
To find out more about WUTH Charity and how you can support its work, visit wuthcharity.org.
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Photos:
Photo 1 : Dr Nikki Stevenson, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive at WUTH during the abseil.
Photo 2: Sam Green taking part in the abseil for the second time.