KGN Cash & Carry, of Great Hanover Street, Preston, donated boxes of melons, pears, strawberries and other fruity favourites at the request of Preston’s Muslim community, members of which delivered it to Baby Beat for staff working on the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit.
Fulwood-based B.Cookson Ltd, which is a wholesale supplier to local green groceries and the catering industry, then sent in blueberries, apples, bananas and other goodies to the hospital’s Catering Department for it to share among clinical staff.
Its delivery was made by Tom Cookson (pictured), grandson of the firm’s founders Brian and Margaret Cookson. Tom’s girlfriend Georgie Stephenson is a nurse at the Royal Preston Hospital as is his brother and co-worker Jack’s girlfriend, Ella Byron.
Dad Brian Cookson, who now owns and runs the business with brother Craig Cookson, said: “We wanted to show our support and appreciation for the NHS and those at the frontline. They work long shifts and cannot always get fresh fruit as by the time they reach the supermarket, it has sold out. This was our way of doing our bit.”
Cathy Skidmore, temporary manager of Baby Beat, said: “We’re very grateful to both firms for their donations of fruit to help keep our Neo Natal Critical Care Unit and other staff happy and healthy. It’s much appreciated.”
The Baby Beat Appeal is a local registered charity established over 30 years ago and raises funds for the Maternity Units and Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit, which are part of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Baby Beat supports research and the care of unborn babies and their family through pregnancy to birth and the post-natal care of premature or new-borns requiring specialist neonatal support. It is with Baby Beat’s support that those units stay at the very forefront of new developments and technology.
Baby Beat’s remit covers four key areas: before pregnancy with research, during pregnancy with the latest monitoring equipment and technology to date
for the wellbeing of the mother and baby, following delivery with neonatal equipment for premature and sick babies and sadly beyond with bereavement support.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides district general hospital services to a local community of 390,000 and specialist services to 1.5m across Lancashire and South Cumbria. For enquiries about its charity, contact paula.wilson@lthtr.nhs.uk or call 01772 528500.
