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Latest news: January 2009

Dates for your calendar

Our baby knitwear etc. will be on sale in the outpatientsÌýat Leighton Hospital in Crewe, 8.30am - 3.30pm on the following Fridays...

January - 16th & 30th
February - 13th & 27th
March - 13th & 27th
AprilÌý- No Stall & 24th
May - 8th & 22nd
June - 5th & 19th
July - 3rd & 17th & 31st
AugustÌý- 14th & 28th
SeptemberÌý- 11th & 25th
October - 9th & 23rd
November - 6th & 20th
December - 4th & 18th

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May 2008

Award-winning and Foundation Trust status

Christine Cooper and RAY OF HOPE baby knitwear won the Voluntary Services within The Trust Award in a special Oscars-style awards evening at the Crewe Alexandra Stadium on Thursday March 13.

The Trust noted "Chris has played a huge role in developing the Ray of Hope Charity, which provides knitted clothing for premature babies. She was put forward for the award by, among others, staff on the Special Care Baby Unit (SCUBU)."

Christine says this award is really for everyone who helps us no matter in how small a way and many thanks to you all.

NOTE: Leighton Hospital was finally granted Foundation Trust status on 1st April 2008.

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January 2008

Dates for your calendar

RAY OF HOPE baby knitwear will be on sale in the main outpatients department at Leighton HospitalÌýin Crewe from 8.30am-3.30pm on the following Fridays...

January - 4th & 18th
February - 1st, 15th & 29th
March - 14th & 28th
April - 11th & 25th
May - 9th & 23th
June - 6th & 20th
July - 4th & 18th
August - 1st, 15th & 29th
September - 12th & 26th
October - 10th & 24th
November - 7th & 21rd
December - 5th & 19th

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August 2007

Thank you to the Relief Society

We received a telephone call last January to say that a Church group in the Wolverhampton area had chosen to support us with their knitting and sewing crafts this year. The lady who telephoned said she would ring again when they had some things ready and we agreed to meet at junction 16 of the M6 and she would transport the articles up here. She phoned again at the end of July and I went to meet her.

What beautiful things she brought.ÌýA whole array of different items, beautiful satin Angel Pockets, knitted born asleep gowns, lovely memory bags. Bonnets, cardigans, body warmers, knitted and patchwork blankets and also many items for us to sell on our hospital stall.

Many, many thanks to the Relief Society of the Woodsection Ward, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Hours of work must have gone into them.

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November 2006

A 'moorathon' walk

A huge 'thank you' to Whitworth Community High School, Hallfold, Whitworth, Rochdale. To the staff, pupils and parents and especially pupil Connor Proctor.

During the summer the school organised a 12 mile sponsored Moorathon (a 12 mile walk on the moors). Connor put in a plea on behalf of the Ray of Hope and also completed the walk himself.

From this kind hearted and community minded school we have received a cheque for £470.00. Well done all of you and many many thanks.

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What charitable women!

I received a letter last week...

From the chairperson of Brackley Womens Institute - Craft committee. They explained that they had recently held their annual craft show and as part of the show they like to support a charity and this year had chosen 'Ray of Hope'.

They enclosed some lovely knitting which I have photographed (pictured right). I can assure you the photo does not do it justice. They also sent some lovely hand made cards.

What a lovely idea to put their wonderful efforts to such good use. The hospitals and parents will be most grateful.

June 2006

Forget-me not garden, Leighton Hospital Crewe

The garden is completely private and is accessed from a door leading from the Lady Cholmondeley Room. This room was opened in 1988 by the Marchioness of Chomondeley. It is a room away from the main labour ward where bereaved families are cared for after the loss of their newborn baby.

It was a beautiful sunny day and some of the parents who had unfortunately used the room came to see the new garden. Many brought plants, small trees etc with them.

One couple I spoke to had with them a flowering tree. They explained they had chosen that particular one as it flowered in April and that was the month they had, had their sad loss.

The garden was designed by Mark of Hinkleys Nurseries and it contains a seating area with rays coming from it. Funding for it was with cash help from the bereaved parents and the Ray of Hope. (The name was chosen and incorporates Ray Staffords’ name, in thanks for all his supportÌý when he was Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council).

Parents who are bereaved will, with help of the midwives be able to add to the beauty of this spot.

We hope that this quiet peaceful spot will help to give peace of mind to at least some of the unfortunate parents.

We are constantly reading reports in papers off staff/hospitals who do not care. Today we witnessed a large group of midwives and other staff from a Maternity Unit who most certainly do. We are very proud to be connected with them.ÌýÌý

February 2006

Pregnancy toÌýParenthood Open Day

We were invited by midwife Marion Spice to attend a Pregnancy toÌýParenthood Open day at Leighton Hospital. Marion had organised the day as a completely new approach. It was to highlight the work of Leighton Hospital's maternity and neonatal units.

The National Childbirth Trust, CCC real nappy campaign, C.L.A.S.PÌý and Sure Start, too name a few. It was an excellent day and very well attended.

The first parents arrived shortly after the start at 10.30am and there were still people there at 3pm as the stalls were closing. Hands on information was also given by some of the staff of the units and they were there to answerÌý questions in a lovely informal way.

There were some very good demonstrations of how to bath baby (may I add with a life sized doll) by three studentsÌý from the School of Nursing at the hospital.

We were able to show the type of items that can be purchased from our hospital stall and to give out cards with the dates we are there. We also had a range of the small items that we give to the neonatal units andÌýof low birth weight cardigans etc. should baby be under 5lb.

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Haslington Ray Of Hope Knitters Stall Dates

Our stall of baby knitwear, knitted toys, cross stitch items, and hand made cards will be held in the Out Patients Hall at Leighton Hospital on the following Fridays during 2006 Between 8-30am and 3-30pm.

March 10th & 24th
April 7th & 21st
May 5th & 19th
June 2nd & 16th & 30th
July 14th & 28th
August 11th & 25th
September 8th & 22nd
October 6th & 20th
November 3rd & 17th
December 1st & 15th

All proceeds go towards the Maternity and Neo Natal Units.

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Research campaign

A campaign has come to my attention that some of you might be interested in...

Action Medical Research have just launched a major petition asking for the UK government to prioritise research into the prevention of premature birth and pregnancy complications.

You can find out more about the petition on their website at: www.standupfortinylives.org

Christine