Sarah Collins of First Touch NNU in Tooting on a busy summer ahead and how one dad will be jumping out of a plane for the charity!

Hello from First Touch at St George's neonatal unit! July is incredibly busy for us as we head towards the summer holidays. This Saturday our supporters further afield are holding a Picnic and Concert in sunny Surrey. The New Egham Singers' Summer Concert is an annual event at ACS Egham International School, and this year they have chosen us to benefit from funds raised at the event. They promise beautiful voices, calming ambience, cucumber sandwiches, strawberries and cream and all things summery. Charity Co-ordinator Louise, our wonderful volunteer Carlene and I will be there for First Touch, and if anyone would like to join us to help sell raffle tickets and rattle collection buckets we'd love your help. Drop us a line at info@first-touch.org.uk. More details about the concert can be found here.

At the opposite end of the danger spectrum, one of our current dads, Craig, is undertaking a summer sky dive for us. Craig's partner, Laura, told us why:

“It was Craig’s birthday on the 30th June and instead of presents he asked to do a sky dive for First Touch, the charity that is helping our beautiful boy, Noah, in hospital. Along with the amazing nurses and doctors the charity has been so supportive and we want to help show our appreciation.”
 

First Touch is the official charity of St George’s nnu, which cares for more than 600 sick and premature babies each year. First Touch funds a variety of projects and items ranging in price from just £10 up to tens of thousands of pounds. This includes state-of-the-art medical equipment, specialist training to ensure the amazing medical staff have access to the latest clinical knowledge and a range of welfare initiatives, like providing tea and coffee, welcome bags and special ‘Journey Boxes’ which make a big difference to the babies’ families at what is such a stressful and bewildering time.

Craig has set himself a £1,500 target and has already raised a magnificent £860 in sponsorship. His Justgiving page is here.

I'm heading to see my own neonatal graduate, Isabel, in her school summer concert on Friday. We are forever grateful to the neonatal staff who cared for her and saved her life when she arrived 3 months early. It is such an honour to work for First Touch and for a cause I am so passionate about.

Sarah Collins, Charity Director First Touch – supporting sick & premature babies at St George's 

To find out more, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

This article would not be possible without the support of our fantastic Community Partners. Click here to find out more.