Sponsored ‘dress-down Fridays’ at OCRA (Isle of Man) Limited have led to staff raising ?1500 for the neonatal unit at Noble’s Hospital.
The donation is the latest in the company’s year-long campaign to raise funds for local causes that has already seen the same amounts presented to Rebecca House and Wish Upon A Dream.
OCRA group director Stephen Porter said: ‘Throughout the year staff have given generously every week to dress-down Fridays in a bid to make a very real difference to Island-based charities. Their commitment has led to a remarkable ?4,500 being raised from which three worthy causes will benefit. The outstanding work Noble’s neonatal unit does in providing specialist care for vulnerable new-born babies will have touched the lives of many parents in the Isle of Man and I commend our staff for taking the decision to channel a third of the funds they raised into this vitally important facility.’
Neonatal services’ lead nurse Paul McCann said: ‘We care for all newborn babies in the island who require help once delivered. This assistance ranges from help with feeding and temperature control all the way through to full intensive care where life support is involved. The babies who come to us range from those born very early - up to four months early - to those born up to two weeks late.
‘Although the main focus of the care we give appears to be on the baby, a huge amount of time and effort is given to supporting the parents and families of the babies in our care. Obviously the care required is very specialised and comparable to that provided by the bigger neonatal centres in the UK, but obviously without the same level of financial support and resources. Our aim is to continue to provide the ultimate level of care possible here in the island which is equal to that given in these other centres. To do this requires huge commitment and is not possible without the wonderful ongoing support of the Manx public.
‘I would therefore like to thank the staff of OCRA and all those who have supported them in raising this fantastic amount of money for us. It will go directly into providing the specialist equipment needed for these vulnerable and precious babies. All their efforts are very much appreciated, not only by all the staff here on the unit, but also by the parents and families of those babies we look after.’
Photo - Noble’s Hospital neonatal services’ lead nurse Paul McCann, front row third right, receives a donation of ?1500 from OCRA (Isle of Man) Limited staff, including group director Stephen Porter, back row extreme right. Picture Andrew Barton.
