Friends of the Coombe launch new calendar to raise funds

CELEBRITY mum of two, Lucy Kennedy, has launched a heart-warming calendar on behalf of Friends of the Coombe, the charitable organisation that raises funds to assist in the development of the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital.

The

‘When I grow up

?¦’ 2013 calendar is now available to purchase from the Friends of the Coombe website www.friendsofthecoombe.ie and the Giggles and Smiles Photography website www.gigglesandsmiles.com for e10 including postage.

It is also available to purchase in Mischief, New Street Mall, Malahide.

The calendar features 19 children born at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital who spent a significant period of time being cared for in the neonatal unit.

This includes one set of quadruplets, one set of triplets and two sets of twins from Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. Each month of the year shows a before and after image of them, illustrating their size when they were born and a current image of them exploring their dreams of what they want to be when they grow up.

The Neonatal Centre at the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital cares for more than 1,000 babies each year and is made up of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

Between 15 and 20 per cent of new-born infants need to be admitted to the 40-cot facility to receive special and intensive care treatment. The length of the baby’s stay can vary from days to months depending on their needs.

Speaking at the launch, Lucy said:

“I am always struck by how small and fragile new-born babies are but seeing how tiny some of the children in this calendar were at birth was a real eye opener.

“It is truly wonderful to see them now, thriving and running around. I am delighted to be able to support this initiative to help raise money to allow children who are born prematurely or ill to blossom and be allowed to dream of the future.

?

Dr Chris Fitzpatrick, Master of the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, added:

“The intensive care of seriously ill new-born babies is highly complex and challenging. Caring for these babies is one of the most demanding tasks imaginable. Discharging these babies after days, weeks or even months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is one of the most rewarding experiences modern medicine has to offer. By purchasing a calendar, people will be investing in medical progress and the future of infant healthcare in Ireland.

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Photography for the calendar was taken pro-bono by Giggles & Smiles Photography in Malahide, Ireland’s Children’s Photographer of the Year.