uhsm news summer 2012.pub

FUNDRAISING & DONATIONS
If you wish to raise funds or give us a donation,
please email jan.owen@uhsm.nhs.uk.
Family raise over £3500 for
unit that saved their baby
Schoolchildren raise £1000
Rebecca and Mark Blinkhorn have
been raising money for UHSM’s
Neonatal Unit as a thank you to the
team who looked after their baby,
Michael, who was born with a
potentially life-threatening infection.
Michael fell seriously ill just hours
after he was born. He was covered in
a rash and had difficulty feeding. The
Neonatal team quickly realised he
had cytomegalovirus (CMV), which
affects around one in 200 babies.
After his treatment, Michael
recovered well and is back at home
with his parents and older brother.
Rebecca and Mark organised a series
of fundraisers to try to raise £1,000
for the hospital, starting with a teddy
bears’ picnic in Timperley. Michael’s
uncle Stephen Blinkhorn also
organised a fundraising evening and
pub quiz at The Ashlea Pub in Cheadle
where he raised over £2,000. In total,
the family have raised over £3,500
which is fantastic and Stephen is
looking at further events to raise
funds for UHSM.
Mum Rebecca explains: “Almost as
soon as Michael was born, we knew
there was a problem. He wouldn’t
make a noise yet seemed distressed,
but the team at UHSM were fantastic
in treating him and we simply can’t
thank them enough!”
Staff were delighted to receive a cheque for £1000 from children at Newall
Green High, Baguley Hall Primary, Benchill Primary and Newall Green
Primary Schools. In June, the four schools took part in a local competition
where pupils dressed up in red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee. The best dressed were then invited to UHSM’s Jubilee
party where they pressed the magic button to light Britain's only green
beacon. The pupils each gave a small donation to the Trust’s One in a
Million Appeal.
Neil Wilson, Head Teacher at Newall Green High School, says: “Many of our
children were born at Wythenshawe Hospital and we were glad to be able
to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee with fun activities and fundraising for the
Trust too. Our staff and children enjoyed dressing up - the outfits that
people wore were incredible, and were a credit to their hard work.”
Local councillor raises money for Neonatal Unit
UHSM Governor and Baguley councillor Tracy Rawlings asked her friends
and family donate to our Neonatal Unit & Cancer Research instead of
buying 40 th birthday gifts. People were incredibly generous, raising £500
which was split equally between the two organisations.
Tracey explains: “I was a premature baby born at just 28 weeks so I
know from my parents how scary it can be to have a child born so early.
Wythenshawe Hospital is very important to me. I live in the area and had
both of my sons here so I was really keen to raise funds for them.”
Rachel Brindley from the Neonatal Unit says: “We are always thrilled when
people want to fundraise for us. We’re all really happy that Tracey asked
her friends and family to donate to us, and I can’t believe she’s 40!”
8 Your Hospital www.uhsm.nhs.uk