THE NICU Foundation has launched the first of its kind animation and partnership with the South West Neonatal Network with the aim of raising awareness and funds for the 12 neonatal units in the region, stretching from Gloucester to Truro.

The event at Clevedon Hall in North Somerset welcomed doctors, nurses and consultants who were able to learn more about the new partnership and how the funds raised by the charity can support neonatal units across the region.

They heard from various speakers including founder of the NICU Foundation Charley Maher, South West Neonatal Network Manager Rebecca Lemin and Dr Paul Mannix, Consultant Neonatologist at Southmead NICU, about the benefits that this new partnership will bring and the plans in place to boost fundraising.

The animation, funded by The NICU Foundation, was premiered during the event. It aims to help alleviate some of the worries that new parents may have about the unfamiliar environment, equipment and every day noises of the unit during an already unsettling time.

The animation also shares information for parents such as the benefits of interacting with and holding their baby, the facilities and support available and the staff they will meet throughout their journey. The animation has since been uploaded onto The NICU Foundation and South West Neonatal Network websites and will be distributed for free across the UK and abroad.

The NICU Foundation was founded by Charley Maher and her husband Lee Maher in 2014 following the birth of their son Harrison when he was just 29 weeks old. Charley was inspired by the care she received throughout her stay at various neonatal units and has since raised thousands of pounds for various equipment and staff training including a new Baby Pod, temperature regulation suits and staff training to help spot early signs of Cerebral Palsy for Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

Charley said: “As anyone that has had a child within a neonatal intensive care unit will tell you, it’s one of the most stressful and frightening times of your life. Our new animation aims to comfort new parents that often have limited places to turn, to find out more about the environment they have suddenly found themselves in.

“The trustees and I are extremely excited about the opportunities created by partnering with the South West Neonatal Network and have already seen great progress in both our fundraising efforts and awareness of the amazing work the teams at neonatal units across the region do every day to care for sick babies and save miniature lives.”

The charity has welcomed Rebecca Lemin and Robyn Smart, both of the South West Neonatal Network, onto the board of trustees who will be able to represent the needs and priorities of the neonatal units within the region.

Rebecca Lemin said: “The Network is pleased to be partnering with The NICU Foundation to help bring vital funds into the South West to support the delivery of neonatal care across the region. Every year our 12 neonatal units care for and support over 7,000 babies and this partnership will ensure that funding can be targeted to improve the services that we offer our families, and perhaps provide the added extras that are so hard to fund through the NHS. We are particularly excited to be able to work with The NICU Foundation to identify the educational, training and support needs that both our neonatal staff and neonatal families would benefit from and to identify how we can deliver this in partnership.”

More information about the NICU Foundation including how to begin fundraising can be found at www.nicufoundation.co.uk

or by emailing hello@nicufoundation.co.uk