BIBS – Babies In Buscot Support » Thomas Culetto

Buscot family room transformed thanks to generosity of BIBS supporters

Thomas Culetto — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 21:32:46 +0000

Many families will have spent days, weeks and even months in the family room on Buscot Ward – a place to make a cuppa or a meal, take time out during a long day, meet up with other family members and await a visit with their tiny babies.

Thanks to the fantastic fundraising efforts of BIBS supporters, we have been able to completely transform this previously tired and dreary space into a relaxing and modern environment, complete with everything families might need to make their stay just a little bit more comfortable. As one mum commented: “This room is amazing, I have been using this room while my little lady is a resident. It’s so relaxing and takes the stress away from being here. It’s a great place for my 4yr old to take time out and just play when visiting her sister”. Another mum said: “Such a difference, it now looks like a cosy and inviting place to sit and relax in what many call their second home, on such a important journey for all families”.

Take a look at these photos to see how the room looks now. If you have used the newly refurbished room, why not drop us a line and let us know what you thought?

Record-breaking Reading Half Marathon runners smash fundraising target!

Thomas Culetto — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 19:47:02 +0000

The 2017 Reading Half Marathon has been a record-breaker in every sense of the word. A staggering 66 people signed up to run for BIBS this year – far more than we’ve ever had before! We set the team an ambitious fundraising target of £20,000 which they have well and truly smashed! The funds are still being counted and we’ll let you know the grand total as soon as we can.

What we can tell you is that the total will go a long way towards our current campaign to raise £53,000 for Buscot Ward. This will purchase 13 new pieces of life-saving equipment, including incubators, ventilators and cardiac monitors.

BIBS would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to the runners for their monumental efforts, and also to the wonderful team of BIBS marshals and cheering squads who volunteered their time to make sure this event was a huge success. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Family Fun Day

Thomas Culetto — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:58:35 +0000

The wonderful ladies at Mirror Mirror Hair and Beauty – have been hard at work for 6 months to organise a family fun day in Reading to raise funds for us. The day was a success with many stalls and activities being organised on the day. Many thanks to the organisers and the stall holders who contributed to that community event.

If you still wish to contribute to this please feel free to go on the following page:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mirror-Mirror

Reading bridge lit for World Prematurity day

Thomas Culetto — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:01:17 +0000

Reading’s pedestrian and cycle bridge over The Thames, will be lit purple to mark World
Prematurity Day on Tuesday 17 November!

There will be a photo call at 6pm at the Bridge, to mark the occasion, with the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Sarah Hacker - and supporters of BIBS (Babies in Buscot Support ) charity, you are all invited to join her.

As you may be aware, Cllr Hacker chose BIBS to be one of her Mayoral charities as a thank you, after her youngest son who was born 9 ½ weeks early needed to be cared for on Buscot Ward.

‪#‎WorldPrematurityDay‬ ‪#‎rdguk‬

BIBS Xmas Party

Thomas Culetto — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 21:22:05 +0000

The BIBS Christmas party, which took place in Abbey Rugby Club the 12th December, was a great success. Parents and children had the pleasure to see Santa and Olaf in person. We just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all of those that attended and also to our two incredible committee members, Jade and Holly, for organising such a brilliant event. We’re already excited about next year’s party

We take the chance to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the BIBS committee and from our supporters.

Being a Buscot Baby, in my own words

Thomas Culetto — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:55:47 +0000

To mark World Prematurity Day 2014, we have a special story from a Buscot Graduate, Ellie Lee, in her own words. Buscot has been saving tiny lives for many years and holds a special place in the hearts of the babies treated there and their families.

” I was born on the 8th October 1999, 2 months early and weighing only 2lbs 13oz. If it hadn’t have been for Buscot I wouldn’t be here today. I was on Buscot for 8 weeks, I was assisted with my breathing for 6 hours, I suffered with a weak reflux muscle and a weight gaining problem, and I was tube fed for 5 weeks due to my reflux. I’m now 15 years old and attend Redroofs school for the performing arts where I am training to be a teacher in drama and musical theatre. Now I only live with a learning difficulty called dyprixa, poor circulation and a weak reflux muscle but I’m coping fine and I don’t let it get in the way of what I achieve to do. I am one of very few babies who will never make my year groups average height as I am four years behind the growth of everyone else as the average for year 10 is 5ft 4inches and I’m only 4ft 10inches. I wouldn’t be here without Buscot and I can’t thank them enough ”

Here are some pictures of Ellie in Buscot 15 years ago, and now:

Incubator Appeal

Thomas Culetto — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:39:42 +0000

Can you help BIBS to raise £29,000 to buy a much needed Giraffe Omnibed incubator for Buscot Ward?

With its advanced technology and innovative design, this state of the art incubator will provide a developmentally supportive and more family-centred critical care environment for premature babies and full term but poorly babies.

Babies in Buscot Runners in the Reading Half Marathon 2014

Thomas Culetto — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:12:59 +0000

On the 2nd of March 2014 a team called the “Babies in Buscot Runners” will be raising money for BIBS by running the Reading Half Marathon. The team is made up of 19 parents, family and friends of graduated Buscot babies. They aim to raise £9500 to buy new hot cot mattresses for Buscot Ward.

Find out more about the runners and sponsor the team here: http://bibr99.wix.com/rdghalf

Read recent news coverage:

http://www.localberkshire.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2014/02/24/98009-tilehurst-mum-is-on-the-run-for-support/

Reading Post, 26th February 2014

Reading Chronicle, 27th February 2014

The BIBR team:

Mum Crystal Dittmann (and BIBR founder), Dad Koon-Kau Man, and friends Robyn Goodacre, Rachel O’Callaghan, Ryan Brockway and David Morrow all running for Buscot graduate Hayden

Mum Sally-Anne Long running for Buscot graduate Jessica

Mum Nicola Wilson running for Buscot graduate Pippa

Mum Lindsey Stevens, Dad John Stevens, Aunt Kelly Cooper and Grandmother Mary Baggott all running for Buscot graduates Daisy, Magnolia & Violet and in memory of Vinnie.

Dad Matt Collins running for Buscot graduate Noah

Mum Rachel Argent (and BIBS Chair) running for Buscot graduate Verity

Dad Barney Smith (and BIBS Treasurer) running for Buscot graduate Ava

Mum Shelley Valdivia running for Buscot graduate Amaia

Mum Veronika Royle running for twins Faye & Aleka

Aunt Loz Thompson and Uncle David Temple running for Buscot graduate Bea

Family and Friends running Reading Half Marathon for Babies like Verity

Thomas Culetto — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:46:01 +0000

On the 2nd of March 2014 a group of parents, family and friends of graduated Buscot babies will be raising money for BIBS by running the Reading Half Marathon.

BIBS Chair, Rachel Argent, is part of the team and in this article she talks about the birth of her daughter Verity, the work of BIBS and her motivation for joining the Babies in Buscot Runners.

Read the article from the Sonning Parish Magazine:

Find out more about the runners and sponsor the team here: http://bibr99.wix.com/rdghalf

New Life donation for cardiac monitors

Thomas Culetto — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 09:34:40 +0000

A massive THANK YOU to New Life who have donated a hugely generous £20,000 to Buscot to be put towards the new cardiac monitors needed on the ward. Everyone please share to spread the thanks!

New Life donate an amazing £20,000 to Buscot Ward at Reading Hospital to buy more vital equipment.