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 by
Alison Powell
A Reading baby charity this week iaunched a £26,000 fundraising
appeal and is counting on Berkshire supporters to make it a success.
The most ambitious appeal ever attempted by Babies in Buscot Support
(BIBS) is aimed at buying an intensive care travel incubator for
the Royal Berkshire Hospital's special baby unit.
BIBS, set up by parents of newborn babies who received lifesaving
treatment in the unit, provides practical and emotional support
and has raised thousands of pounds for medical equipment.
BIBS has aiready bought static intensive care incubators and
paid for the renovation of parents' accommodation next to the
intensive care 'hotroom'.
Deputy chairman Will Carter sald: "At £26,000 the
purchase of this travel incubator is our most ambitious project
to date.
"We know how generous to BIBS the readership of the Chronicle
has been in the past, and we're hoping for a big fundraising response
to this new goal.
"We know that businesses, Schools, clubs and individuals
will be considering which causes to support during 2002, and we'd
like to ask them to consider BIBS as
they make their decisions.
"We would like to hear from anyone entering the Reading
half marathon, London Marathon or planning a sponsored bunjee
jump or something like that, and who is wondering which charity
to ralse flunds for"
Tilehurst BIBS committee member Karen Ison knows the value of
the unit because in May 2000 she developed the life-threatemng
pregnancy condition pre-eclampsia.
Karen was 25 weeks pregnant when doctors delivered Joshua, weighing
just 700 grams, and he was rushed straight to Buscot ward, where
he would stay for another 166 days. He is now home but still needs
round-the-clock oxygen.
Karen said: "The staff on Buscot are fantastic, absolutely
phenomenal and the support on the ward and from the Buscot community
group when you are home is
amazing.
"Joshua was given a five per cent chance of making it and
here he is nearly two years on, weighing 2Olbs, nearly walking
and very, very happy"
Taken from the Reading Chronicle 14th February
2002
©Copyright Reading Newspaper Co
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