11:00am Friday 8th March 2013
Hospital bosses hope they have found the recipe for success as they launch a new appeal.
A bake-off is being staged to get the fundraising campaign for improved maternity services at Airedale off the ground.
Baking enthusiasts are being invited to take along their creations to the hospital at 10.30am on Sunday – Mother’s Day – where they will be judged by Tricia Stewart, one of the original Rylstone WI Calendar Girls.
The event, on the upper level at the main hospital entrance, will also feature a coffee morning.
The bake-off winner will be announced at 11.30am.
A £750,000 grant from the Department of Health is enabling the hospital to create a new midwifery-led unit with state-of-the-art technology, which will provide a less clinical environment for mums to give birth.
There will also be a self-contained bereavement suite with a private remembrance garden.
The appeal aims to raise £6,000 for new resources.
“The extra money will help us to furnish and equip both our midwifery-led and bereavement facilities to make them homely and comfortable,” said Claire Mathews, head of midwifery at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. “Our aim is to make sure that mums and their families have as positive an experience as possible of our maternity services.”
Mrs Stewart, who was Miss October in the WI charity calendar, said: “Having had both my children in Airedale over 30 years ago I was delighted to be asked to be associated with this new and exciting change in the maternity unit.
“I would like to take the opportunity to wish all members of staff involved my best wishes for the future and I am sure all those new mums and babies will benefit from the huge investment being made on their behalf.”
People can donate to the appeal at justgiving.com/ AiredaleHospitalMaternityAppeal or by texting AHMA95 £2 to 70070.
For more information, telephone hospital charity fundraiser Bronagh Daly on 01535 294546.
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