Bears of Bath supports the Royal United Hospital:
' Forever Friends Appeal'

General information

Launched in 1999, The Forever Friends Appeal has helped secured well over £6 million to provide state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Money raised by the Appeal has radically improved facilities particularly in the areas of Children, Cancer, Cardiology and Critical Care, as well as other key departments across the hospital.  The Appeal helps the RUH to provide the best possible level of acute care to the 500,000 people in Bath, North East Somerset and West Wiltshire.

As the latest focus of the Appeal, the NICU ‘space to grow’ Campaign for premature and desperately ill babies aims to raise £4.5 million over the next 2-3 years to fund an urgently needed brand new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (at the RUH). 

One in ten babies are born prematurely or seriously ill and need to be cared for in NICU, some babies staying in the unit for up to 6 months.  The existing unit is too small to cope with modern day demands, as life saving equipment has grown immensely over the years. Five hundred babies are treated in the unit each year, the clinical care is amongst the best available, however the unit is incredibly cramped, with noisy conditions and a severe lack of privacy making the care of little babies extremely difficult. 

This new unit will be calm, spacious, and purpose built to accommodate the 21 cots and the medical equipment needed for the care of babies.  We believe this new NICU will be the very first of its kind to be designed, built and operated with sustainability in mind, creating a light and spacious environment for our vulnerable babies and, of course, their parents.  Such an environment is proven to be highly beneficial to babies, parents and staff – ensuring the best possible outcomes for these little patients.

There are many way which you can get involved and help The Forever Friends Appeal to reach their goal. You can make a donation, hold a supporter event, participate in an Appeal lead event, become a corporate partner, start a tribute fund, join the NICU Membership Scheme, purchase Appeal merchandise or even become a volunteer.

FOREVER FRIENDS APPEAL 2008
EVENTS CALENDAR
The Appeal have an event to suit everyone, so join them individually or get involved with family, friends and colleagues. Please contact the Events Team on 01225 825825 or e-mail forever.friends@ruh-bath.swest.nhs.uk for more information.