The Isle of Man Fund Association has donated ?1,685 to the Isle of Man’s Neonatal Unit (“NNU”).

The registered charity, based at Nobles Hospital, Braddan, received the donation following a charity auction held at the Association’s latest Annual Dinner.

Lead Nurse, Paul McCann said: “On behalf of NNU, I would like to express our sincere thanks to the Isle of Man Funds Association for their kind generosity. Although the unit is funded by the Department of Health, we still rely heavily on voluntary income and contributions to fund some of our work. All donations received by NNU are placed into a fund which is then used to purchase new equipment or develop existing facilities. They play an important part in ensuring the unit is fully equipped and in full working order so that we can provide the best care possible to our patients and their families.”

The Island’s NNU provides specialist nursing and medical care to new-born babies – there are approximately 1000 babies born on the Isle of Man each year. Most of these are born healthy and have no need for specialist intervention, however unfortunately approximately 10-15% do need some level of assistance as they are either very young, very small premature babies or are born sick at full term. The Neonatal unit give the best chance of survival by giving them immediate access to the most up to date care and facilities.

Paul Kneen Chairman of Isle of Man Funds Association and Chief Executive Officer of Abacus Financial Services Group said: “We are delighted to be able to support the island’s Special Care Baby Unit and hope that our donation will go some way to help them continue their invaluable work on the Island for the care and support they provide to babies and their families.”