Local family raises £20,000 in a year for Royal Bolton neonatal unit

Staff on the neonatal unit at Royal Bolton Hospital have received a generous donation as part of a year-long fundraising drive by a local family.

Jackie Lawrence and Kieron Fairhurst's baby son George was cared for on the unit in January 2018, when he was unexpectedly born three months prematurely. Sadly, George died on 12 January when he was nine days old.

George's mum Jackie says: "The entire team in the NICU were amazing with George and our family - the doctors, nurses, midwives, cleaners – every single person we spoke to.

"Before our time in Bolton NICU we didn't really know it was there. They were the double doors you walked past at the hospital, not having a clue what was behind them. The tiny babies fighting for their lives, surrounded by the most amazing team of staff doing all they can 24 hours a day."

Friends, relatives and colleagues set up a JustGiving page, and between them they have raised £20,000 for the neonatal unit through a number of activities. Jackie and Kieron visited the team at the unit with Tamsyn Haselden, a colleague from Premex Services in Horwich. They presented staff with a cheque for £8,300, which has been raised through the fundraising efforts of the team at Premex Services. Joining them to present the cheque was three-month-old Robyn, who Jackie and Kieron welcomed into the world on 18 December at Royal Bolton Hospital.

Matron on the neonatal unit Cath Bainbridge says: "Thank you so much to Jackie, Kieron and the team at Premex Services for their amazing achievements. We are overwhelmed by their generosity. It was our privilege to care for baby George and the family during his short life, and it has been an absolute pleasure to meet his little sister Robyn today. We wish the family every happiness in the future."