AN ANNANDALE couple have helped raise £15,000 to the neonatal unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary to fund specialist equipment that will minimise and prevent hospital visits and admissions for newborn babies.
Ryan and Becky Muir organised a charity tractor run in 2020 to raise money for a donation for the unit and went on to make it an annual event.
The cause is important for the Johnstonebridge couple after their daughter was born nine weeks early and their niece 13 weeks early.
Ryan and Becky wanted to thank the staff at the unit who looked after them, and to help other babies born prematurely, as well as their families.
They expressed their gratitude to everyone contributed to the fundraise.
Ryan and Becky said: “Our daughter and our niece were born prematurely so giving something back to the Neonatal Unit means a lot to us as they go above and beyond to help not just the babies but their families too.
“We also want to help babies born early and their families as we remember what a really hard time it was for us.
“We would like to say a big thank you to our family, friends, and so many people who supported the charity tractor run, and of course for all contributions to the huge sum of £15,000 we raised.”
They are delighted to know that their efforts have led to the purchase of specialist equipment which is used to check jaundice levels in newborn babies.
It will be used by community midwives when carrying out their checks on newborn babies at home.
For babies with jaundice this means many may not have to be readmitted to hospital and can remain with their families at home, and require less hospital visits.
Lyn Durrant, General Manager at Women and Children’s Services, NHS Dumfries and Galloway added: “This donation of such a significant sum, gratefully received, has allowed us to purchase specialist equipment for community midwives when they are providing care for newborn babies at home.
“This means more newborn babies stay at home and can be treated for jaundice with less visits to hospital, and preventing hospital admission for some.
“This is of course is better for baby and for their family.
“This is also a boost for community midwives as it enhances the care they can deliver at home, and for the staff at the hospital knowing these babies don’t need to be admitted when they could be treated at home.”
The annual tractor and truck run will take place again this year on Saturday, November 23.
