Update on latest achievements - The Royal Wolverhampton ...

Staff Shout
15
Trust
Midwife's
Charity
Bike Ride
A specialist midwife from the
Trust recently tested her stamina
and endurance, in a London
to Paris bike ride for Best
Beginnings, a National child
health charity. Amanda Costello,
who heads up the maternity unit
on breast feeding, did the
country-to-country bike ride
between 12 and 15 September.
She covered 180 miles (300km) in
just three days, cycling through
the steeply undulating countryside
towards the south coast of
England, before entering France
by ferry. Amanda completed the
challenge to raise money for child
health charity Best Beginnings.
”Riding from London to Paris
was really tough,” said Amanda.
“It tested my physical and mental
endurance. But it’s for a cause
close to my heart. As a midwife
with responsibility for Infant
feeding here at New Cross, I
recognise the importance of
increasing the number of babies
who receive their mother’s milk
and how this can help reduce
health inequalities.”
Amanda Costello prepares for her
biking adventure, watched by her
colleagues from the New Cross
Maternity Unit
"Riding from
London to Paris
was really tough"
Neonatal
Unit Receives
Donations
Two families have kindly donated money to
the Trust’s Neonatal Unit.
The unit was presented with a cheque for
£500 by a couple from Brownhills.
Dorothy and Terry Willetts are members
of the International Appreciation Society,
which raises funds for good causes around
the globe. The couple wanted to donate
money to the unit as they have supported it
before: “We’re really pleased to be able to
help out in this way,” explained Mr Willetts.
“Our society meets just once a year, and
over 12 months we hold raffles, do car
boot sales and other activities to help raise
money. We often bring in baby clothes to
the Neonatal ward, so it’s nice to be able to
do this and give something back to a much-
Footy team
tackles NHS
Tournament
HAFAS is a Healthcare 5-Aside Soccer
Tournament. It’s a non-profit making,
charitable event, with 10% of the entry fees
going to a nominated charity.
All health care trusts are invited to take
part in the tournament, held every June.
The event, which runs over two days,
alternates between venues in Manchester
and Nottingham.
needed facility that’s so close to home.”
“In the current climate, we’re extremely
fortunate to receive this donation from Mr
and Mrs Willetts, who’ve clearly given up
their own valuable time to help others,” said
Kim Ong, Neonatal Co-ordinator at the Trust.
“This money will go a long way towards
maintaining the high level of service and
care here on the ward that we are so proud
of.”
A Family Affair
And it was a real family affair when two
generations took part in a gruelling triathlon
last September, raising an impressive £1,300
for the neonatal unit.
The Trust is already looking to submit a
team again for next year. “As well as being
able to represent the hospital, it’s also a
social event and a chance to meet other
Trusts from across the UK,” said organiser,
Laky Singh, a porter at the Wolverhampton
Medical Institute.
This year a combined team of players from
New Cross and Walsall Manor hospital took
part. “Even though we didn’t get very far,
Terry and Dorothy Willetts hand over a cheque for £500.
Photograph supplied by Kim Ong
Grandparents, Julie and Martyn Davis,
together with Auntie, Jodie Davis, did the
triathlon as a thank you for the skill, care
and support the family received for Jaden
Lei Davis. Jaden was born in September
2008, at 30 weeks and weighed just 3lb 11oz.
He is now doing really well.
When Jaden was discharged, £1843.00
was also donated by the Wolverhampton
Development Football Team on behalf of
Jaden. The club has close contact with
Jaden’s other Grandad, John Norwood and
his Uncle, Callum Norwood.
Huge thanks for your contributions to the
unit!
Front row Matt Piper, Laky Singh, James Bevan, Hemel raja, Back row Amrik Singh, Craig Nicholls, Raj Samra,
Manish Buchar. Photograph supplied by Laky Singh
it was a good learning curve and everybody
really enjoyed it,” said Laky. “I’m looking to
enter at least one team next year, so we’ll
need a minimum of 10 players and I arrange
everything, from entry through to the travel
and hotel arrangements.”
Any staff wishing to be on the team will get
an opportunity to do this in 2011. Training for
the event begins around February/March.
16