City dignitaries pledged their support to a Liverpool specialist baby unit earlier this month, as it launched a fundraising campaign aimed at raising £80,000.
Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead, and Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Tony Concepcion, attended Liverpool Women's Hospital earlier this week as the hospital seeks to increase the number of patients it can support within its Fetal Medicine Unit.
The Fetal Medicine Unit at Liverpool Women's Hospital provides specialist care to mums-to-be or unborn babies who need additional support during pregnancy.
Dame Lorna EF Muirhead DBE, said: "I am thrilled to support the ongoing quest for excellence which is the hallmark of Fetal Medicine at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
The unit gives hope and support to many women, their unborn babies and their families and many splendid people raise funds to help provide this service including those who have previously been helped by its work."
Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Tony Concepcion said: "I am delighted to be supporting the Fetal Medicine Unit at the Liverpool Women's Hospital. This is a vital resource for many mums to be who require extra care from a highly experienced team, there are many newborns who owe their life to the staff and facilities available at this unit. I hope we can continue to highlight the importance of the work carried out at the Fetal Medicine Unit and support it for as long as is necessary."
Patients are referred to the clinic for many reasons, including multiple pregnancy (twins or triplets), underlying health conditions, or because an abnormality has been detected.
Professor Zarko Alfirevic, a consultant in Fetal Medicine at Liverpool Women's, said: "We are trying to raise funds to redesign our unit so it matches the excellent standards of care that we provide. Every year we have around 6000 appointments where we deliver care to many families and their unborn babies. We are a leading centre providing fetal medicine not only across Liverpool and the North West, but as far afield as Wales, the West Midlands and the Isle of Man."
The event was sponsored by G4S and saw the Fetal Medicine team joined by current fundraisers, one being the charity’s youngest fundraiser to date, 9 year old Hope, who owes her life to the team. Hope will be competing in her very on mini mudder challenge, as her mum Jennifer, takes on the infamous Tough Mudder course later this year. Rachel Worsnip, completed 3 different challenges in memory of her son Zach. Water Babies Liverpool, who raised £1,872.82 by holding a pyjama party, also attended with their mascot Bubba.
As their nominated charity for 2015 and 2016 the Crowne Plaza Liverpool are backing the campaign and have pledged to raise 10% of the £80,000 target.
Lisa Masters, Fundraising Manager said “When we launch a campaign like this it is touching to hear from all of the families that have been supported by such a team and want to give something back, it is a great service and I am hopeful with the support from patients, friends, family and staff we can reach our target. Thank you to G4S for sponsoring the event and to the Crowne Plaza for their support. So far the fundraising total stands at £9,400. If would you like to help the team reach their fundraising total and allow them to create a new family friendly unit then give me a call on 0151 702 4044.”