Muslim community donation

There are more than 6000 births in the county each year in units in Stroud, Cheltenham and Gloucester, with the majority taking place in the Women’s centre at Gloucester. Assistant Director of Maternity & Fertility Services Dawn Morrall is delighted with the funds, saying: “The new bed can be adjusted to different positions electronically, which means that women can maintain more upright positions, such as sitting, kneeling and standing, which encourages natural birth. This helps us to maintain our aim of encouraging all women to be up and mobile during their labour and birth."

A community volunteer commented: “As a community we have been in Gloucester for over 50 years, and in that time we have been supporting many charities and projects around Gloucestershire. The idea for the maternity bed was put forward, and we took up the challenge in raising the money. With the support of our dedicated volunteers and the community, the funds were raised by fundraising and food sales.”

Every age group in the community was involved, with children taking a great role in the fundraising drive. One fantastic initiative was charging £15 for a three course meal delivered to people’s houses; they raised over £1,200 of the total by doing this – a lot of cooking for the team!

Kate Green, Director of Fundraising for Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity said: “We’re so pleased to have formed this supportive relationship with the Muslim Community, who have kindly offered to consider raising more money for maternity as well as contributing to other projects.”