By Liz Crudgington
The neonatal team at Margate’s QEQM Hospital’s special care baby unit (SCBU) have received a very special delivery this week – a beautiful new Silver Cross Balmoral pram.
After Darren Couzins, who works in the Estates Department at the QEQM Hospital, noticed the previous pram used by the team to transport their very young patients around the hospital was over 30 years old and in need of replacement, he set about raising the £3,000 needed to buy a new one.
Thanks to extensive hard work and fundraising by Darren and a generous donation of £1,500 from Ramsgate construction company WW Martin, which is currently expanding the hospital’s Emergency Department, and support from the QEQM Hospital League of Friends to help the fundraising efforts, the money for the new pram was raised.
Tracey Twyman, Neonatal Matron at QEQM Hospital, said: “I am delighted to receive this new pram and so grateful to Darren for his determination to raise the funds and a special thank you to WW Martin for their generous support.
“This particular pram is perfect as it allows us to transport babies in style and comfort, whilst also being incredibly practical as it has the capacity to carry an oxygen cylinder and the vital equipment that we often need and is also perfect to meet the clinical requirements we need, thank you.”
On joining Darren to present the pram, Ian Posnett, Director for WW Martin, said: “I know from my conversations with the team how pleased they are to receive this, which is fantastic and is the reason why we are delighted to be able to help contribute.
“I very much hope that this pram can be as useful as the last pram to the SCBU given it lasted an incredible 30 years!”
Darren Couzins, of 2gether Support Solutions, said: “I am so pleased to be able to present the SCBU with the new pram. I know the team incredibly well and know that they are grateful to everybody that has helped raise the money to allow us to buy this new pram.”
