The University has decided to donate more than £720 to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital’s Neonatal Unit, which will use the money to buy new equipment to help new mums breastfeed their new-born, particularly premature babies.

The donation comes after the University received a rebate from a soft drinks company for selling branded products at its Putteridge Bury campus, near Luton, which is home to the University’s postgraduate Business School programmes and its conference centre

“Encouraging and helping new mums to express their breast milk or breastfeed their new-born has always been a priority on the unit, as it helps mums play a part in their baby’s care at a time when there may be very little else they can do to help their new-born,” said Sarah Coulthard, Assistant Fundraising Manager at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.

“Most premature babies cannot be breastfed because they are too ill or underdeveloped to suckle but staff use mum’s expressed milk in the baby’s feeding tubes which go directly into their stomach, ensuring they are getting all the essential nutrients they need.

“The University of Bedfordshire’s donation will enable us to purchase equipment that will be a great help.”

Putteridge Bury receives annual rebates from Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd. Previous recipients of donations from Putteridge Bury include Luton-based Keech Hospice Care.

Jan Bavister, Putteridge Bury Catering Manager, added: “The University teaches a range of nursing and midwifery courses so we have naturally developed close links with the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, which has led to the donation.

"Also, many members of staff at Putteridge Bury are grandparents - or soon-to-be grandparents - and have seen at first-hand the work that is done to help mums and their new-born at the Neonatal Unit. It's a cause close to our hearts." 

For more information about fundraising for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or a different ward or department at the hospital, call the fundraising team on 01582 718289.

Photo: Sarah Coulthard and University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor, Bill Rammell