The raffle itself took place on December 11, after Rebecca had used her social media platforms to ask her customers to purchase a ticket for £5. One of the three lucky winners received an artificial table arrangement, and the other two both took home a beautiful Christmas artificial flower arrangement.
At present, Doncaster Royal Infirmary does not have a dedicated space for families to spend time with and mourn the loss of their new-born if they experience a bereavement. It is the Trusts intention, with the help of kind sponsors, to create a comfortable and homely environment that is self-contained, with a kitchen and bathroom which will be available for parents to use at such a difficult time.
Known as the Serenity Suite, the area will be decorated with soft furnishings, appropriate lighting and other personal touches to ensure that our families have a place of dignity to go to at such a sad and tragic time. The initial target is £50,000 and the Trust will match fund to ensure this much needed ambition is realised – improving the care and support provided for local patients at such a difficult time.
Rebecca said: “Thankfully I have never needed something like the serenity suite myself, but I have many friends that most certainly have, and for anyone to have somewhere where they can go at times when they may be suffering the most, is so important.
“It is incredible to be able to help with that in my opinion. I had the platform on social media and then my customers had the power to raise the money.”
Lois Mellor, Director of Midwifery at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH), said: “I would like to express my thanks to Rebecca and all the customers of Stem Flowers Doncaster who participated in the raffle. Their money will be put to fantastic use in creating this suite, which will be so important to those who have sadly suffered bereavements on the ward.
“The Midwives across the Trust do an amazing job in supporting the women and families when these traumatic experiences happen. However, this suite will allow the level of service that they deliver to significantly improve.”
If you would like to get involved in fundraising for our hospitals, please contact the Communications Team on Tel: 01302 644244, email: DBTH.Charity@nhs.net or head to http://www.dbth.nhs.uk/charity