Notice: Fun, Frolic And Fizz In Aid Of Special Care Baby Unit

Published on: 8 Jul, 2019
Updated on: 8 Jul, 2019

Staff from the Royal Surrey County Hospital’s special care baby unit (SCBU) have organised an afternoon of fun for the whole family in aid of the hospital’s official charity.

Fun, Frolic and Fizz will take place this comingh Saturday, July 13 at Hunt’s Farm, Guildford, GU3 3HZ, to raise money for the hospital’s charity’s Closer to Care campaign, which will transform care for premature or sick babies and their families.

Laura Woolston with baby William.

The £500,000 appeal, which was launched in May, aims to deliver a new SCBU so that parents with babies in special care can stay overnight, next to their newborns’ cot – something which is not yet possible at similar units across Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

Analiese Doctrove, head of fundraising at Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity, said: “As with many neonatal units around the country, families with babies in our special care baby unit currently have to go home each evening due to limited space and resources.

“We know how difficult it can be for new parents to leave their baby and there are so many benefits to them being close by and being more involved in their care – day or night. We are so excited about this innovative project, which will help make a difficult time just that little bit easier.

“We’re very grateful to the wonderful SCBU team for organising such a jam-packed afternoon of fun and we hope the local community will come along to show their support.”

All are welcome, including dogs, and highlights for the afternoon – which runs from 3pm to 9pm – include a live band, dog show, barbeque, bouncy castle, face painting, raffle, disco and cake sale.

Giezl Pulanco (centre, in navy) with the SCBU team at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

Giezl Pulanco, senior sister and SCBU manager at the Royal Surrey, said: “We are delighted to support Closer to Care – we’re really looking forward to bringing together babies who were once cared for on the unit and their families, with staff and people from the community, to enjoy an afternoon full of fun, live music and, hopefully, sunshine.

“Tickets are available now, so please come along to show your support. Let us help future families embarking on a SCBU journey stay on the unit and be closer to care for their babies at such a challenging time in their lives.”

Tickets cost £7 per adult and include a free glass of Prosecco or a soft drink on arrival. Child tickets are priced at £3 per child (aged two and above) and includes entry to a movie, popcorn and drinks.

To purchase tickets, call the SCBU team on 01483 464834 or visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for Fun, Frolic and Fizz.

For more information about Closer to Care, or to make a donation, visit: www.rschcharity.org.uk/closertocare.