Raised so far: £153,222.00
My story
L&D NICU APPEAL 
One in ten babies requires specialist care when they are born
Every year the Luton & Dunstable Hospital’s (L&D) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) treats over 600 premature and critically ill full-term babies. We offer the highest level of neonatal intensive care possible and are one of only three high-level neonatal units in the East of England.
Because of this and an increasing birth rate, demand for our specialist services has significantly outstripped resources and we currently have to turn away around 20 request for a cot each month as the Unit is completely full.
The original neonatal unit at the L&D was built over 30 years ago and was so successful that in 1998 it was upgraded to provide a total of 20 cots. NICU services are constantly responding to adcvances and developments in treatment techniques and technology - saving more lives and giving better outcomes for babies, even if they are born extremely prematurely.
Recognising that our NICU offers such a critical facility, the L&D has managed to squeeze an extra nine cots into the unit giving a total of 29. Although these extra cots were essential, the Unit is now so cramped that there is very little space between each of the cots making it difficult for staff to treat the babies and for parents to stay by their sides. There is also no storage area for all the equipment to be kept and maintained.
We are therefore planning to create a brand new NICU which will enable us to care for many more of the premature and sick babies born across Luton, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
This new state-of-the-art facility will feature leading edge technology and accommodate 46 cots. It will also include much needed facilities for parents who want to stay close to their baby, including overnight accommodation, a breast-feeding room and two family rooms. This will allow the NICU team to support parents more effectively whilst their baby is sick and also when preparing them to take their baby home.
The NHS has allocated £7 million to pay for the new building and will also fund all the additional staffing and running costs for the new Unit. But in order to ensure that babies can be treated in the best possible environment and with the best possible equipment, we are launching the NICU Appeal to raise essential funds to buy additional equipment to go in the new Unit.
We need your help to raise £1.5 million to purchase new medical equipment
The new NICU, with all it’s specialist equipment, will enable us to treat around 300 more babies each year and save even more precious lives. Your support will make a huge difference and we would like to thank you very much for your donation.
If you would like more information about the Appeal, or would like to discuss fundraising ideas, please contact Sarah Newby on 01582 718 043 or sarah.newby@ldh.nhs.uk or visit our website www.ldh.nhs.uk/fundraising
Sarah Newby (Fundraising Manager)
01582 718 043 sarah.newby@ldh.nhs.uk
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Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Luton And Dunstable Hospital Charitable Fund will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
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In memory of your beautiful baby boy James Donation by PIPPA DARBYSHIRE 12/11/09 |
£25.00 |
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Ellin Snoxell born at 26 weeks @ 1lb 14oz Sept 05 now 4years old and a bundle of fun Donation by Nanny/Gramps Snoxell 10/11/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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In loving memory of David Sammels Donation by Claire Rucker 09/11/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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In memory of James from staff at The Old Courthouse, Hatfield Donation by The Old Courthouse 06/11/09 |
£55.00 |
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My thoughts are with you at this very sad and difficult time.In loving memory of James Billing.Love Gloria Donation by Gloria Holmes 30/10/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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In memory of James Stephen Billing our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time x Donation by Janet and Colin Malone 24/10/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Completed a 10k run in 64mins!! Thank you to all those who sponsored me. Donation by Jenny Harris 24/10/09 |
£280.00 + £78.97 Gift Aid |
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In Memory of James Billing Donation by Drena Douglas 19/10/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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To Roger & Ali, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. In memory of your son. Lots of love, Lisa, Mike & Piper Fitzgerald. x x x Donation by Lisa Fitzgerald 19/10/09 |
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We know Anne Hwang and were moved by the video. Luci used to work in the Special Care Baby Unit at St Mary's in Paddington. Donation by Nick and Luci Rozanski 17/10/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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In memory of James Billing. With love to Ali and Roger. Thinking of you. Donation by Angela and Neil xxx 16/10/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Angela Hornsey 16/10/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid | |
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In memory of James Billing, with love to Roger and Ali Donation by Duncan & Anezka Beamish 14/10/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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In memory of James Billing from everyone at Hatfield Register Office Donation by All @ Hatfield RO. 12/10/09 |
£55.00 |
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In loving memory of James Stephen Billing Donation by Vicki Skeggs 11/10/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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In memory of James. So sorry to hear the news. Our thoughts are with Alison and Roger. Donation by Paul & Ingrid 11/10/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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In memory of James. Thinking of you all. Donation by Mandy Aldridge 11/10/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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In loving memory of James Love to you both Donation by Chris and Derek 07/10/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid | |
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In memory of James Billing. with love Donation by Sandra and Martin Giblin 06/10/09 |
£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid |
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In memory of James Biling Donation by john robins 05/10/09 |
£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid |
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We hope that this donation in James memory will help others. Donation by Anonymous 05/10/09 |
£150.00 + £42.31 Gift Aid | |
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In memory of little James Stephen Billing and with lots of love and support to his mummy and daddy x Donation by Clare Smith 04/10/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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In memory of our son James Stephen Billing. In the few short hours we knew him, he brought us great happiness and we will never forget him. Donation by Roger and Alison Billing 04/10/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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In memory of James Stephen Billing Donation by Mrs I Collins 04/10/09 |
£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid |
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in loving memory of James Stephen Billing Donation by anon 04/10/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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Thank you for all you done for little James Stephen Billing. Keep up the good work. Donation by From the Arnold Family 04/10/09 |
£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid |
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from a friend & colleague of Roger's mum. Donation by Iain Petrie 02/10/09 |
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In loving memory of little Baby James Stephen Billing and special thoughts for his Mum and Dad. x Donation by Eileen McGown 30/09/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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Our thoughts are with you both & James Stephen Donation by Nicky, Kevin, Max & Maddie Ashton 30/09/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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In loving memory of little James Stephen Billing with special thoughts to mummy and daddy. Donation by Alison 30/09/09 |
£75.00 + £21.15 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £8,222.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £145,000.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £2,005.95 |
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