MOTHERS and fathers to be in the Isle of Man are set to have a more comfortable birthing experience thanks to a donation from a walker.
David Moss, a deputy steward at the Manx Legion, donated £1,000 to the Jane Crookall Maternity Unit after walking 32.5 miles to Peel in this year's Parish Walk – despite having done no training.
He said: "Although I didn't do any training for this event I was determined to reach my goal and to get to Peel - I could have definitely gone further but the blisters were too painful. To raise this amount of money for the Jane Crookall Maternity Ward is an overwhelming feeling and I can't wait to see what the money is used for."
Jane Gray, the inpatient service manager for the maternity ward, said the money would be used to enhance the ward's delivery suite.
She explained: "I would like to thank David for this donation which will help us improve the environment in the delivery suite.
"Mother and baby are of course our primary concern during the birthing process but we know how important the presence and support of a partner can be.
"We ask partners to stay in the room during labour to help provide reassurance and support so we're looking at purchasing reclining chairs for partners to use. Labour can last for several hours so we want to ensure that whilst we're making mum as comfortable as possible we're also ensuring that partners have everything they need so that they can be comfortable and focus on mum."
Health Minister David Anderson said: "Donations like this one from David can make such a difference. We have an excellent hospital, with excellent facilities, but as with any high-use public building there's always room for improvement especially given the continuing rapid advances in healthcare.
"This donation will enable the Department of Health to enhance the comfort and aesthetics of the delivery suite which will make it an even friendlier and more welcoming place for what is a key moment in the lives of those who use the facility.
"I would personally like to thank David for this donation as well as those who sponsored him, and congratulate him on his achievement."
David completed the walk in eight hours, 24 minutes and 58 seconds.
Picture caption: Kelly-Ann Shaw - registered midwife, Maja Ignasak - midwifery assistant, Jane Gray - inpatient service manager, Joanne Corcoran - registered midwife, David Moss, Esther Watson - registered midwife and Carol Fairbrother - registered midwife.
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