Giving new heart to the Royal United Hospital Winter 2009

Buy a ‘Baby’ Brick as a gift for Christmas!

Grand Raffle Draw 2009 Buy and sell these tickets to raise £10k for NICU!

The Bath Half Marathon 2010 All your questions answered

Photograph courtesy of the Western Daily Press

Raising funds to provide state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for the RUH To support The Forever Friends Appeal call 01225 825691 or visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk Team Insight NICU Ted’s Big Day Out! is

truly star-studded! Picture courtesy of Sam Farr Sue Tucker Development Officer The day’s events on Friday 16th October …

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of our annual fundraising day made this year’s Ted’s Big Day Out! particularly special. The event was kindly sponsored by Rotork and, as always, everyone in the RUH catchment area was encouraged to pay just £1 to take their teddy out for the day. We have compiled What is your role? a storyboard to give you an insight into how the day came together… My role is to develop relationships with those who could have an interest in supporting the 8.00am: Big Ted races Bubbles Appeal and our current NICU ‘space to grow’ the Bath FM cat and Roary the 9.30am: Staff and Campaign – building a brand new Neonatal 3TR FM lion – needless to say children from Intensive Care Unit. These relationships Ted wins hands down! Bathampton Primary include charitable trusts, individuals and School introduce their developing opportunities in the longer term teddies to Big Ted, all for legacies. dressed in silver and 12.30pm: Nicolas Cage visits the blue. existing NICU, before being joined The other aspect of my role is to identify key by Jason Durr and RUH Deputy projects in need of support within the Chief Executive Brigid Musselwhite - hospital. I then liaise with that department to to help promote the Buy a ‘Baby’ understand why and how funding will Picture courtesy of Sam Farr Brick fundraising campaign. improve that service, then work with the Appeal team and produce relevant literature.

How long have you been with the Picture courtesy of Sam Farr Appeal? It feels as though I have been here for a comparatively short time, but in actual fact I will have been working for the Appeal for Picture courtesy of Sam Farr eight years in January. Time flies when you are enjoying yourself! 11.30am: Despite being just Picture courtesy of The Bath Chronicle Has your role changed in that time? three months old, NICU triplets Yes, when I joined the Appeal we were Leo, Gwennie and Mae were fundraising for equipment for the hospital to excited to meet Heartbeat actor Jason Durr, whose twins were complement the redevelopment of the ‘heart 9.00am: Appeal volunteers

in NICU recently. Tucker Mike of courtesy Picture of the RUH’. There was a lot of contact with sell over £650 worth of 1.20pm: Nicolas Cage is different departments, finding out about delicious cakes and Christmas interviewed by Don Foster pieces of equipment and their functionality stocking fillers, based at the before signing autographs within that department. This work showed RUH Main Entrance. and meeting many hospital me the diversity of need within the hospital. staff, patients and visitors. Whilst this work continues to a lesser degree, we now focus on major campaigns such as purchasing the CT Scanner, which is installed and has reduced waiting times considerably, and on our current campaign - Thanks to all your support, NICU ‘space to grow’. the NICU ‘space to grow’ Do you like working on the NICU ‘space Campaign is progressing well. to grow’ Campaign? We are all really excited about this campaign 12.15pm: Against some tough and I would like to think that my input in Both Appeal and public fundraising competition, staff member Sam Nolan wins helping to get this project off the ground has efforts are continuing to help complete the ‘RUH’s Got Talent’ competition, with her contributed to the enthusiasm and sensational performance of ‘Somewhere 1.30pm: The marvellous RUH choir wow commitment which is making this campaign our pioneering, spacious and brand new over the rainbow’. Congratulations Sam! the crowds with their performance. a success. premature baby unit. Construction work is due to commence in the Spring, but we still As you can see we were fortunate enough to receive some star-studded celebrity On a personal level, I feel very lucky to be support from Heartbeat heart throb, Jason Durr, and the renowned Oscar-winning actor involved in such a worthwhile project. Giving have to work hard to reach our goal. To help Nicolas Cage. Being one of our most successful events yet, our grateful thanks go to premature and sick babies the best start in us on the ‘home straight’, look out for the our visitors for the day: Bath Rugby players Butch James, Lee Mears and David life is something to which I really aspire. Barnes; Chairman of B&NES Cllr Bryan Chalker; Mayor of Bath Cllr Colin Barrett Being part of a fundraising team that is many exciting initiatives in this newsletter – and everyone who took part and contributed to the home straight of the NICU ‘space to turning dreams into reality is really worth and on your own doorstep! grow’ Campaign. Check out our website for more pictures of the day, including the getting out of bed for in the morning! fantastic event held by the Bath Blues Brothers at the Guildhall, Bath. Guy Woodward racing for the Campaign at Castle Combe. Twins Congratulations on coming second! Harris and Edward tell their story!

Edward and Harris, 4 days old Harris and Edward age 6 months

“Harris here! I stayed in NICU for a whole month as I had pretty much stopped growing and I was born weighing in at a tiny 3lb 12ozs. I then went and lost some more weight and I started living in the highest dependency room, where Mummy and Daddy weren't allowed to cuddle me at first because I was too little. Over the weeks there were lots of worries, but I overcame each hurdle one at a time. Mummy and Daddy came to visit me all the time, but there was no room for my twin brother at first. Picture courtesy of The Bath Chronicle Bath The of courtesy Picture I know that I am lucky to be around and thriving. I am a really happy little fella now and I can stand (with help). I'm starting to sit unaided, laugh for England and love to dance. I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without the fantastic people at Bath NICU.” “Edward here. I can't match Harry's story for drama, but I was attached to machines upstairs on the maternity ward and it was hard for me to go and visit him. Because I was poorly too, Mummy and Daddy always had to choose who to be with day and night. Big Ted delivers his first NICU is very special and we have very fond memories of it, but it could do ‘Baby’ Brick leaflet with bringing into the modern world. When I was stronger and I visited Harry in NICU, I was allowed to sleep in with him. Lovely as it was to be right next to my brother, it was very cramped, hot and rather Hey there, wait a scary. The staff at NICU helped a lot and made us very welcome but when they have a bigger centre, minute Mr Postman… other families can all be together!” The Forever Friends Appeal Team geared themselves up in October for a door-to-door mail drop throughout the RUH catchment area, their first fundraising venture of this kind. Assisted by Bath-based direct marketing organisation The Real Adventure Company, a new leaflet about the Buy a 'Baby' Brick scheme was designed and is being delivered to 240,000 letterboxes across the region between now and early 2010.

The leaflet tells the real-life stories of families who have benefited from NICU and invites local householders to come on board and buy virtual 'Baby' bricks. Costing as little as £10, these ‘Baby’ bricks will help build the new Unit and your contribution will be permanently recognised within the final building design. The response so far has been fantastic and the Appeal Team hopes it will extend into the New Year.

Read on to find out how 'Baby' bricks can help solve all your Christmas gift dilemmas!

Give a ‘Baby’ Brick for Christmas! Forget all those hours trudging around the shops, poring over catalogues and surfing the internet for that perfect gift. We have just the present for you this Christmas. In our frivolous and throw-away society, why not give your loved ones something different? -- a gift that lasts a lifetime. Due to the tremendous Buy a ‘Baby’ brick for £10, a row for £100 or, for someone very special, a wall for demand for our ‘Baby’ £1,000. Your generous present will help to finish the new NICU, plus the recipient Brick collection boxes, the will receive a Buy a ‘Baby’ Brick Christmas card and have their name Appeal Team have ordered permanently recognised within the design of the new building. another 3,000 which have been This life-saving gift is ideal for the relative or friend who is impossible to buy generously funded by Appeal for, or for that caring person who likes to contribute to their local committee member Jennifer Skellett. community. If you would like more information regarding our Christmas To order your collection box today, gift ‘Baby’ brick or would like to display a brick collection box, just give the Appeal office a call. call 01225 825691 or visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk. A Tribute to Eliza Events Calendar

The Forever Friends Appeal understands the impact December that the loss of a loved one can have on the whole Appeal Christmas Market stall - Tuesday 1st family. Setting up a Tribute Fund in his or her name Be sure to come along to our very own stall at the Christmas can provide a valuable focus during the most difficult Market to buy some stocking fillers and get yourself in the times and also create a lasting legacy which mood for Christmas! benefits many others. Family and friends can make donations to their fund at any time from any source, Appeal Christmas collection – Sunday 6th and choose how the monies from their fund are It’s our annual Christmas street collection in Bath city centre allocated within the RUH. and this year we have been lucky enough to secure the support of the locally based Park Lane Big Band. Amy Ferrell set up a Tribute Fund through the Appeal to benefit NICU after losing her baby daughter Eliza, aged three months, a day before We are always looking for extra people to rattle a bucket, so Christmas in 2008. if you fancy getting in the festive mood please give us a call.

March Bath Half Marathon and NICU Family Fun Run - Sunday 7th 2010 Visit our website for more information or see the article on the back page of this newsletter.

Foresters Human Table Football – date tbc Play on a giant inflatable Human Table Football pitch with your friends, “Eliza was born at 27 weeks weighing just over 1lb family or colleagues. 6oz. She spent three months at the NICU in Bath, If you want to find out without which she wouldn't have survived even a more about entering a day.” team, then give the Sadly, on Christmas Eve, Eliza unexpectedly Events Team a call on passed away after contracting bronchial pneumonia. 01225 821535. The 'Eliza Tribute Fund' aims to give something back to NICU through Eliza's memory. To date, Amy, June together with her family and friends, has raised The Vanessa Kyte Canal Walk - Saturday 12th 2010 nearly £2,000 for Eliza’s fund. Sign up to take on this 21-mile walk along a beautiful stretch of the Kennet and Avon canal, all in aid of “We are thankful that we got to spend time with equipment and facilities to care for Cancer patients at the Eliza and that she got to meet her family and so RUH. Watch out for more information on our website. many of the people who cared about her. That is why setting up a Tribute Fund is so important to me. Visit: I feel that this is a way in which I can actively www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/eventscalendar.asp remember Eliza and do something positive to help future parents who have babies in the Unit.” for the most up-to-date information. If you would like to organise your own fundraising event, please let us know For more information on setting up a tribute fund, on 01225 821535 and we will help provide you with all the contact Jan Witt on 01225 825819. fundraising tools you will need.

Grand Christmas Draw hopes to exceed expectations

It’s that time again! Our Grand Annual Christmas Draw is being launched with this newsletter and we would like to appeal to all our dedicated readers and supporters to make an extra-special effort to buy and sell as many raffle tickets as possible this year.

Not only is it our 10th anniversary, but we are in the final months of our biggest campaign ever and we need you to ensure a successful finish. With your help, we can raise a vital £10k and help take the NICU ‘space to grow’ Campaign towards a successful conclusion. By the end of 2010, we want to have the best sustainable Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the UK caring for our tiniest patients, right on our doorstep.

Please ring 01225 825691 for extra tickets to sell on our behalf and remember to put the draw on 16th December in the RUH Atrium in your diary! Our Bath Half Marathon 2010 Fact sheet Date of event: 7th March 2010 Start time: 11.00am Length: 13.1 miles Course information: Runners assemble on Bath Recreation Ground before taking on the relatively flat course. The race starts and finishes on Great Pulteney Street – one of the widest Georgian boulevards in Europe. How much is the entry fee? Only £25 for a Forever Friends Golden Bond place. How much do I need to raise? By obtaining a Golden Bond place you are committing to raise the minimum sponsorship of £175. Ted’s Team prepare for the race! Where does the money go? The funds you raise will contribute to the last £1.5 million needed to complete the NICU 'space to grow' Campaign. What support will I get from the Appeal? You will receive a free running vest and 16-week training schedule, as well as a fundraising pack with all the information you will need in the run-up to the event. You can also join us on the day for some early morning refreshments in our charity marquee and get together with all your team mates for a Ted's Team photo before you set off! How do I obtain my place? Call 01225 821535 to get your registration form or visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk. Forever Friends team sponsors: The Forever Friends Appeal are thrilled that their team has been kindly sponsored by Western Power Distribution for yet another year! Have fun running with your family! Beginning just after the start of the Bath Half Marathon, the NICU Family Fun Run is a short course of just 1.5 miles. The Appeal is very excited to be named as lead charity for this fantastic event. This race is open to participants of all ages and abilities and is a great way for the whole family to get involved on Bath Half Marathon day. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult, but whether you are 5 or 55, trying to get a little fitter or just want to have some fun with the children and do a bit of fundraising - this is the race for you! Visit www.bathhalfmarathon.co.uk to sign up today. Fun-runners approach the finish line

The ‘Forever Friends’ and ‘Friends of the RUH’ join forces! The Friends of the RUH fulfilled their pledge in September 2009 and Gwen Stoaling, Chairman, presented a wonderful £250,000 cheque to Appeal Chairman John Cullum. This donation will fund the fantastic new parent accommodation in NICU. Both Chairmen agreed it was a unique opportunity for us to work together. Debbie Grant (NICU matron), Gwen Stoaling and John Cullum

A supreme Supreme ‘He’s not just any !’ This sensational portrait of Supreme’s star Mary Congratulations to Green Wilson (pictured) was auctioned at The Fashion Museum’s The Story of The Supremes exhibition Park Leather and Luggage and made over £500 for the NICU ‘space to grow’ in Bath. Their friendly Campaign. Thanks to our lucky bidder and our collection bear has raised talented artist Mr BJ Chapman for donating this just over £2,000 since he magnificent piece. Keep your eyes peeled for was first positioned other celebrity-signed work at www.bjchapman.com. outside their shop in 2002.

The Forever Friends Appeal, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath BA1 3NG Royal United Hospital Bath Tel: (01225) 825691 Fax: (01225) 824013 E-mail: [email protected] NHS Trust

Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust Charitable Funds registration no. 1058323 Forever Friends is the copyright of PLC