W L
INCUBABIES RECEIVES THE QUEEN ’ S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE
IncuBabies , a group of volunteers based on the Wirral , have been honoured with the Queen ’ s Award for Voluntary Service , the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK , the MBE for voluntary groups .
IncuBabies was set up to fundraise for a new extended and refurbished neonatal intensive care unit to support neonatal provision and the families both on the Wirral , Cheshire , Merseyside and beyond .
They are now also actively supporting research , called the ASPIRE study . This is in collaboration with the Women ’ s Hospital and Alder Hey Hospital , benefiting all neonates and full term poorly babies with regards to nutrition and digestion , potentially causing fatal infections . The impact of this research will not only benefit Wirral and the North West babies , but is expected to have national and international implications .
All monies raised and donated to this charity go directly into the fund pot as they are entirely voluntary led and run , making them quite unique amongst many other charities throughout the Wirral , and in fact , the country . Everyone involved works tirelessly and with great passion to ensure this project is completed , running alongside the hospital and its own appeal .
The unit is quite frankly “ a hidden gem ”, and at a level 3 category is one of only a few in the country that can provide the level of care some very poorly babies require . From the unit ’ s inception in the 1980 ’ s when around 80 babies per year needed these facilities , it has now risen to over 400 poorly babies per year , but sadly the unit hasn ’ t changed from its original size . This is where the difficulties arise , as the staff continue to perform incredible medical care for these babies , the space they are working within is so limited , eg new mums and dads are often confined to plastic chairs or stools whilst watching and waiting over their babies as there is no room for even an armchair ! Often parents have to leave their baby ’ s side due to another baby in the same high dependency room needing equipment that won ’ t fit unless other babies and parents are removed from the area . This has to change especially at what is probably the hardest time in any parent ’ s lives .
So far the charity have had amazing support from all areas of the community through fundraising , grants and donations . Many local businesses including the Co-Op , Morrison ’ s , St James Place , Boodles , Thornton Hall Hotel , Hallmark Jewellers , Kallkwik Printers Liverpool , Wirral Life Magazine and many more smaller businesses have donated both money and fabulous prizes to support the various events held over the last 4 years .
Sheila Clarke MBE , chair of IncuBabies said , “ IncuBabies is an entirely voluntary charity and it is only due to the enthusiasm , compassion and dedication of many people giving freely of their time that this outcome has been possible . We are absolutely delighted to have won this award and to be recognised amongst such fantastic charities throughout the country . It is an honour and privilege to receive this award and we dedicate it to all our volunteers and families connected to IncuBabies and thank them for all their hard work and commitment . Here ’ s to the future .”
The charity has many events planned going forward ,
• Friday 16th July , dinner and live entertainment at Strawberry Moon , Thurstaston
• Saturday 2nd October , party night with dinner and live entertainment at Thornton Hall Hotel , Thornton Hough .
Anyone interested in either attending these events or helping / supporting IncuBabies in any way , please message on their Facebook page IncubabiesNW . wirrallife . com 15