Bradford Hospitals' Charity - the official NHS charity partner of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - is currently raising £3million to create extra accommodation for parents to stay close to their premature and sick babies.

Bradfords Neonatal Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary cares for up to 500 babies each year. Approximately one baby in 10 requires admission to the unit, which takes babies from all over the Yorkshire and Humber region. Staff provide intensive care treatments to babies born as early as 23 weeks.

The unit currently has a small area for families to sit, and a small kitchen, neither of which are big enough to accommodate all parents. We believe that like the babies who are cared for and treated on the unit our families deserve the best. We would like to refurbish and extend all our facilities to make the unit a true home-from-home.

While the unit currently has two bedrooms to accommodate parents, the appeal aims to raise enough money to:

Build an extension of five additional en-suite bedrooms

Create a tranquil outdoor sanctuary for parents to be able to reflect in peace and quiet and children to play

Refurbish living and kitchen spaces, where parents can prepare food, eat and entertrain siblings

Refurbish play areas and purchase a range of toys and books to help calm siblings who may be unsettled and anxious.

Nothing can prepare families for their time on the Neonatal Unit, but we can make it that little bit more bearable.

For more information, please visit https://bradfordhospitalscharity.org/big-neonatal-appeal/

If you would like to support our appeal in any way, please give the Bradford Hospitals' Charity office a call on 01274 274809.