A fundraising Christmas fete has raised an amazing £2,252 for the Special Care Baby Unit at Good Hope Hospital.

The Toddler Sense Magical Christmas Fete was organised by Melissa Harvey, class leader of local toddler activity classes and held at the Royal Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. The day included fun sensory activities for babies and toddlers, a visit from a fire engine, Porsche and F1 car, free arts and craft activities and the chance to meet characters from Disney’s ‘Frozen’ and Father Christmas, who was giving out gifts in his grotto. Local businesses also generously donated over 40 amazing raffle prizes.

Melissa said: “It was an incredible success and the money raised was due to so many kind people who got involved. I would like to thank the stall holders and my family and friends for all giving up their time and putting in 110% of their energy to making the fete a hit.”

Melissa chose to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit because one of her best friends, Karen, had two premature sons and one of them, Jack, stayed in the unit for two weeks. Melissa added: “It is thanks to the wonderful work of the midwives and the nurses that her little boy is now happy and healthy. They provided not only the amazing medical care that Jack needed but the emotional care that Karen, as a brand new mummy, needed to help her cope with the scary unknown. There are lots of families who are not so lucky and it is important that funds are there to help the unit continue to do such amazing and miraculous work.”

Melissa visited the Special Care Baby Unit and handed over the £2,252 donation to lead nurse, Philomene Ashington. The money will buy special syringe infusion pumps, used to deliver medication to tiny babies.

Photo caption (courtesy of Sutton Coldfield Observer): Melissa Harvey, class leader at Toddler Sense Sutton Coldfield, hands over the cheque to lead nurse, Philomene Ashington, sister, Suzanne Michael, staff nurse, Tina Hayes and David Liberati, fundraiser at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Charity.