Rotherham’s tiniest hospital patients have inspired the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity’s new fundraising campaign.

The Tiny Toes appeal aims to raise money to help fund the redevelopment of the Neonatal Unit at Rotherham Hospital.

The existing ward and its caring and compassionate staff are highly praised by families, but the facilities require upgrading to ensure their excellent standard of care can continue for generations to come.

When babies are born prematurely, they are vulnerable and in need of round the clock support. Care on the ward focuses on allowing babies to fully develop while monitoring issues usually associated with their breathing, feeding and muscle development.

The average pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks but Rotherham’s neonatal unit cares for youngsters born from 27 weeks. Neontatal babies can spend one or two days on the unit to a few months. Occasional this could be up to six months.

The unit, which many people know as the Special Care Baby Unit, has separate high dependency and intensive care rooms for the most poorly babies, cubicles and two nurseries, which are used to nurse those who are almost ready to go home.

The appeal will raise funds to make the unit homely as parents can often spend longer in hospital than at home. The appeal will fund an overhaul of the family rooms, including repainting and soft furnishings, furniture, modern showers and kitchen facilities.

As we celebrate the NHS' milestone birthday in 2023, we hope you can fundraise for our appeal!

For more information about the charity or support with your fundraising, please get in touch with Suzanne Rutter or Rachael Dawes in the charity team on 01709 426821 or trft.rhcc@nhs.net