Our festive appeal aims to raise £30,000 to help support our youngest patients. Donations could fund equipment such as a Baby Pod to safely transport sick babies between our hospitals and birth centres. They may also fund cardiac Echo ultrasound probes; a cough assist machine, and toys such as baby mobiles.

Simon and Emily Blundell are backing the fundraiser as their son Sidney, 17, who has Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy, regularly visits Tunbridge Wells Hospital for treatment. The early childhood form of myotonic dystrophy (also known as Steinert's disease) causes progressive muscle weakness and those affected often have significant breathing problems.

Sidney needs help to shift secretions. As well as receiving support from the hospital his family use a range of equipment at home including a cough assist machine and ventilator to help keep him as healthy as possible.

One of the ways festive donations to the appeal could help make a difference is by funding the Trusts first cough assist machine exclusively for children at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. The machine helps clear chest secretions in very ill children and in turn can help reduce the risk of pneumonia.