The transformation of the garden, clinical and non-clinical areas of Ward A23 at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) Nottingham has begun, thanks to a £50,000 donation by local baby loss charity Forever Stars.
Last year, the charity dedicated its fundraising to the ambitious Ward A23 project, spearheaded by its ‘Supporting 1 in 4 for 2024’ campaign, launched to mark Forever Stars’ tenth anniversary year and recognise the one-in-four pregnancies which end in miscarriage before 20 weeks.
Forever Stars reached its £50,000 target thanks to numerous fundraising events, individual and corporate donations, and help from hundreds of the charity’s friends and supporters, old and new.
Among the biggest fundraising events were a skydive from 14,000 feet by staff from Levi’s Barbers in Beeston, this year’s ‘One Step at a Time’ 26-mile walk around Nottingham completed by over 50 people, and the John Pye & Sons Charity Shield Football match.
“Every day, QMC’s Ward A23 cares for an average of 10 families suffering baby loss through miscarriage, and provide truly outstanding specialist care, treatment, emotional support and assistance,” says Richard Daniels, who founded Forever Stars with his wife Michelle following the stillbirth of their daughter Emily on 19 December 2013.
“But there are areas of the Ward that could be improved, and so the £50,000 donation will be used to finance some changes to the Ward’s clinical and non-clinical areas, and an exciting DIY SOS-style makeover of its adjoining garden and outside space.
“Of course, everyone involved in Forever Stars is thrilled to have hit our Supporting 1 in 4 Campaign’s £50,000 fundraising target, but as always, we are all overwhelmed and humbled by the unwavering support and generosity of so many individuals and companies from across Nottingham and the East Midlands.
“So many people give so much of their time, and money, to help the charity realise its vision to transform the support available to families experiencing the heartbreak of baby loss and miscarriage.
“I am so excited to see the planned renovation and improvements to Ward A23’s clinical and non-clinical areas take shape, and the designs for the garden turned into reality. The money will be used to cover both the work and materials necessary to completely re-model and refit the garden adjoining the Ward, so that it becomes a more inviting, usable and an appropriate sanctuary space for patients and their families.”
