Chippenham midwives and helpers organise roadshow in aid of centre (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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Chippenham midwives and helpers organise roadshow in aid of centre
4:00pm Saturday 25th August 2012 in News
Gill Bence, centre, with four-hour-old Molly Gill, and staff who are hosting a mother and baby roadshow in September
Midwives and support staff at Chippenham Birthing Centre are hoping to raise some funds with a special roadshow in the town centre next month.
The Mother and Baby Roadshow will help to raise money to refurbish the centre to make it more homely for new mums and their babies.
The free family event, which will be held in the Neeld Hall, will see a host of stalls from local businesses, with everything from baby equipment, photography and crafts to personal fitness, jewellery, nappies, and cakes. Children’s favourite character Peppa Pig will also be at the event from 9am.
Midwife Meg Cooper said: “We are really excited about the Mother and Baby Roadshow and have had a very positive response from local businesses wanting to take part and support the event. “There will be a fantastic range of stalls, with something for everyone, so we hope to get a big crowd coming down to support us on the day.”
The team hopes to spruce up the birthing centre with the money raised from the roadshow, and there are also plans to invest in another birthing pool, with help from the hospital’s League of Friends fundraisers.
Mrs Cooper said: “Money raised from the roadshow and our other fundraising activities will go towards helping us refurbish the birthing centre and create a more homely, less clinical environment. “We care for over 1,800 women a year at the centre, under the care of dedicated midwives and support staff and we want to make it as comfortable as possible for mothers and their babies.”
The team has been surprised and delighted at the amount of support forthcoming from local businesses for the planned event.
A raffle on the big day will feature prizes donated by Whatley Manor, The Pheasant, Global Travel and Allington Farm Shop. Starbucks has also donated coffee for the event, and the Chippenham Women’s Institute will be baking cakes.
To have a stall on the day, contact either Di Butler or Alison Davis at Chippenham Birthing Centre on (01249) 456434 before September 7 to guarantee a place.
The Mother and Baby Roadshow will take place on September 22 from 10am until 3pm.