Cots for Tots aims to increase life-saving facilities for babies at St Michael’s Hospital

Cots for Tots, is a brand new charity campaign, aiming to help save the lives of critically ill newborn babies in the South West.

Run by the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal, the charity is hoping to raise £1 million to increase facilities at St Michael’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU).

Babies born in Bristol, or in the South West region who have complex problems are referred to NICU. But, because it is the only unit of its kind in the area, it needs more cots.

Currently, around 600 babies every year benefit from the service but the end result of the fundraising campaign will benefit a further 150 babies in the region.

The money raised will go towards a new intensive care suite at the unit, with four new cot spaces and necessary medical equipment. En-suite facilities to accommodate families will also be included.

The charity’s logo has been created by Nick Park at Aardman and features a younger Gromit.

Director of the Grand Appeal, Nicola Masters, which is running the ‘Cots for Tots’ Appeal, said: “NICU is not only the regional specialist centre for the treatment of one in eight babies born in the region who are critically ill or premature, but a pioneering Unit nationally. Nothing is as precious as the life of a baby and we hope that people will give generously to ‘Cots for Tots’ and help us reach our £1 million target for NICU.”

To find out more about the ‘Cots for Tots’ campaign and a range of fundraising activities, visit www.cotsfortots.org.uk, or call freephone 0800 919 649