Funds from a Christmas Market and a series of caravan rallies have helped to boost the funds of the My WiSH charity to £3,500.
Home furniture and kitchen store Neptune raised £3,200 with the money directed towards the WiSH Upon A Star fund to help enhance care for children across the West Suffolk Hospital with an Accuvein being purchased for the childrens’ outpatients department.
The clever device shines an infrared light on the patient showing their veins which makes it easier to take blood or cannulate young patients.
The money came from a raffle organised at the market held at the store in St Andrew’s Street South, in Bury St Edmunds, last November, with Neptune owners Martin and Jane King donating the profits from the event towards the charity.
A host of local retailers were invited to attend the event including Stella & Dot, Striped Apron Bakery, Gourmet Goods, Button Love, Cluck Cluck, Kim Whittingham, Bohm & Bee, Just Our Sail, Javelin, Cocoa Delicious, Neals Yard, Flowers by Alexandra Grace, Nicola Sexton, Percy and Dottie, La Boutique and Rising High Balloons.
And all were tasked with providing a raffle prize which featured a host of gifts including vouchers and valuable hampers which helped to boost the funds raised.
Up to 400 people attended the event and a similar one is also being planned by Neptune to take place later this year on Thursday, November 15.
Emma Adams, the company’s accounts assistant, said they were delighted with the market and that she hand picked the businesses who took part.
“It was a really fantastic event and we were delighted to have raised the money.
“It ran from 6pm to 9pm but we are aiming to run it for a longer period of time this year from 3pm to 9pm and hope to sell more raffle tickets.
“We wanted to raise money for a childrens’ charity and after speaking to My WiSH Charity it seemed the perfect fit. They told us what they needed to purchase and what a difference it would make to children when they take their blood.
“Neptune just wanted to give something to help the children at the hospital.”
Dr Noone, consultant paediatrician, said: “We can’t thank Neptune enough. This machine is something we have wanted for such a long time and the difference it will make to us is just incredible. Thank you to everyone who donated.”
Meanwhile, Kirsty Bishop and her husband Richard wanted to repay the kindness, dedication and care they received at the hospital after their daughter Sophie was born 11 weeks prematurely.
So as keen caravaners they organised a rally near King’s Lynn while friends organised two similar events near Wisbech and Norwich.
And the culmination of their efforts resulted in £300 being raised.
The couple, who live in Lakenheath, decided to give the money to the neonatal unit.
Tiny Sophie, who celebrates her first birthday on July 24, weighed in a just 2lbs after being born via caesarean section at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, and her mother said: “We got transferred to the neonatal unit at West Suffolk Hospital and we were there for about seven or eight weeks. They were just brilliant with us and the care we received was fantastic.
“They helped and supported us and were so kind that we just wanted to do something for them in return.”
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