First Class Child Care in Idle have raised more than £3,000 for the Special Care Baby Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The hospital was nominated by a group of parents who had benefited from the services and support of the neonatal unit in the past. 

“The donation is absolutely fantastic and the unit cannot thank the nursery and parents enough for the money that they have raised," said matron Sarah Szpara.

"We're also delighted that the nursery has also chosen to fundraise for us for a second year and it was lovely to welcome back some familiar faces of children we nursed when they were first born.”

Fundraising activities included all the nursery’s staff, children and parents and one parent’s employer donated £1,000 via their charity contribution scheme.

Events ranged from a monthly staff non-uniform day, a children’s Easter colouring competition, the nursery’s Christmas concert, the annual open day which includes a tombola, cake sales, face painting and the very popular Adopt-a-Teddy stall.
Two members of the nursery ran the Leeds 10k run, while a Dad suffered a sponsored leg wax. Mums also held a ladies night with gift and clothing stalls. 

Nursery manager, Sylvia Ralph, said: “Everyone at the nursery took their chosen charity to heart and put a huge effort into raising money throughout 2010.

 “It’s great when everyone at the nursery works together to raise money for a worthwhile cause and have fun at the same time. The more we spoke to parents about our fundraising efforts, the more people came forward to say they’ve experienced life on the neonatal unit with new babies. 

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported and helped us with our fundraising efforts, we raised a wonderful £3,007.”

The nursery’s donation will be used towards the purchase of larger pieces of equipment that will benefit the babies that require admission to the unit.