In our continuing series on Tooting charities and community groups, Cherie Agnew talks to First Touch who support sick and premature babies at St George’s Hospital.

First Touch was founded in 1998 by two parents and three staff members of St George’s Hospital. Their initial aim was to raise funds to refurbish three bedrooms for parents to stay in during their time at the neonatal unit (NNU). The charity is dedicated to supporting the welfare of parents through funding accommodation, hot drinks, meal vouchers and more.
 

Each year, the NNU cares for around 600 babies. Funds raised go towards purchasing equipment for the unit, as well as specialist staff training and welfare funding for families in need. Most of the babies entering the unit are born prematurely and many require life saving surgery. The main aim of First Touch is for the babies to receive the best care possible and have the greatest chance of a happy and healthy future.

First Touch provide space on their website for fundraising stories, parents' stories and ‘in memoriam’ – where parents can share the stories of their precious little ones that didn’t make it. These words are particularly humbling and help bring awareness as to how important the work of this charity is.

Sarah Collins has been involved with First Touch from 2001 and is now the charity manager. Her daughter, Isobel, was born three months early. Sarah was so impressed with the NNU and grateful for the care they received, that she went onto organise a carol concert to raise funds for the unit.
 

Sarah mentions that her favourite few square metres of Tooting is the First Touch Garden at the front of the hospital. It is a small scale version of an incredible garden that a dad created at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2014, to very publicly say thank you to staff at St George's who cared for his daughter.

In November, First Touch fund the Annual Neonatal Memorial Service, where families come together with hospital staff to remember babies who have died. In December the charity funds the annual 'graduates' reunion party and also ensure that there are filled stockings for all babies at the NNU on Christmas Day. 

Currently the charity is fundraising to refurbish the expressing room at the NNU. If you would like to contribute to the campaign you can read Sarah’s story here.

There are many other ways you can assist First Touch. Sponsored runs have been very successful for them and they have 15 places available in the Royal Parks half marathon and 6 places in the London 10km. Each space has a minimum fundraising requirement of £250 and First Touch will assist you in setting up a Just Giving website page. If running isn’t your forté, First Touch also have a wide range of sponsored sporting events you might like to take part in including swimming, cycling, gymnastics and much more. There are also collection boxes you can distribute, schools can fundraise on their behalf and corporate groups can raise funds through workplace giving. To read more about these and many other fundraising opportunities click here.