New Arrivals for Premature Baby Charity

New Arrivals for Premature Baby Charity

NEW ARRIVALS FOR PREMATURE BABY CHARITY

A busy local charity has announced a number of new arrivals, including the appointment of a team of ambassadors, during an event at Government House.

The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation launched its new ambassador programme with a reception in the ballroom at Government House. The Lieutenant-Governor presented special pin badges to 10 Guernsey-based Ambassadors and two Honorary Ambassadors, whose role is to raise awareness of the charity and to encourage support. Some have personal experience of premature births, or have worked with the Foundation before (see note 2)

Chairman of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation Mr Richard Le Tocq (see note 3), commented: ‘The charity has achieved a good level of success with a small number of core volunteers. The implementation of our Ambassador programme ensures that we have more formal representatives of the charity to promote the activity and enhance fund raising capability. We are absolutely delighted with the cross section of skills and enthusiasm of our ambassadors and new patron.’ 

The charity also announced the appointment of Ms Jessica Roland, the first woman to be appointed Deputy Bailiff, as the charity’s patron (see note 4). 

Ms Roland commented: ‘It was an honour to be asked to be patron of this excellent charity which gives such essential support to families of babies born premature or sick.’ 

The Lieutenant-Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, commented: ‘I’m delighted to welcome the Deputy Bailiff as the patron of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation. It’s also been a pleasure to meet the charity’s new ambassadors and I wish them every success with their work in supporting the next phase of its development. Together they bring a wealth of skills and enthusiasm that will be invaluable to the Foundation at what is a particularly challenging time for the third sector.’

Since it was founded in 2003, the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation has raised in excess of £1,000,000. The money raised is used to purchase equipment for the Bailiwick’s neonatal unit, including items such as a cerebral monitor, incubator, ventilators and training aids, along with many smaller items. The charity also puts together baby boxes containing many premature baby items, including clothing and nappies, as well gifts for the new baby and mother. It also assists local families and children suffering serious or life threatening conditions, and manages two, two-bedroom, furnished apartments close to the Princess Anne Hospital and the General Hospital in Southampton. They have been a huge life-line over the past years, especially at present with the COVID-19 pandemic making it difficult to find suitable accommodation to stay for long periods of time in isolation. Costing £30,000 a year to run, the charity is always looking for regular donations to help keep the vital compassionate housing available for families in times of need for years to come.

The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent of the MBE for charitable organisations, in 2003.

~ ENDS ~

For more information contact Major Marco Ciotti, Tel. 726666,

email marco.ciotti@gov.gg

or Sammy Meerveld, PPBF,Tel. 07781 126021 email sammy.meerveld@ppbf.org.gg

FURTHER INFORMATION ON NEW AMBASSADORS HERE