Heidi Bowron from FGH - Host Peter Garwood

The Morecambe Bay Hospitals Charity

A talk by Heidi Bowron

Heidi introduced herself as the Charity Engagement  Coordinator for Furness General Hospital, a newly created role with an office in the hospital. The Charity Office at Lancaster Infirmary was getting very busy, so an office to help charity fundraising was opened at FGH.
As a new Maternity Unit is being planned for FGH, fundraising for all the small extras in that unit needs to be coordinated in Barrow.
Generally the Morecambe Bay Hospitals Charity has raised funds for Hydrotherapy Pools, play areas for children and vital extra equipment, and as a whole £800,000 is raised each year.
The new Maternity Unit in Barrow is going to cost £11million and will be finished by December 2017. It will improve the birthing experience for Mums on a physical and emotional level. 1200 births a year are recorded at the present Maternity unit.
The new unit will have:-
14 bed delivery suite
4 cots for special care of babies
2 transitional care beds
2 dedicated Maternity Operating Theatres
A Birthing Pool
A bereavement suite and garden
After asking questions of the community about what they would prefer in the new unit, colours of decor, design and the addition of a cafe amenity were mentioned. Also more Birthing Pools. The Charity has decided to appeal for £250,000 as a target for fundraising.
This Appeal will be called the Bay B’s Maternity Appeal hoping to raise funds for :-
3 extra Birthing Pools
TV’s and ipod stations on the wards
Provision of a Bereavement Garden.
To help to raise awareness of the Charity and to raise funds, various events will be targeted for publicity such as the Westmorland Show and the Ulverston Festivals.
Funda Raising events in 2017 include sponsored Walks across the Bay and to Piel Island as well as Charity Balls and raffles. Hopefully a ‘Round the Bay’ cycle ride named ‘Call the Midwife’ will be planned with the help of Lancaster University Students.
Heidi asked us all to support and help the charity over the coming months.
After answering a few questions, Heidi wasthanked by Rotarian Peter Garwood and members responded warmly.