As the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation celebrates its 22nd birthday today, it is also marking World Prematurity Day with two new partnerships.
The charity is working with the Channel Islands Co-operative Society and The Cornerstone to help raise funds and awareness.
Throughout this month, Co-op stores are providing in-store collection boxes for items needed by local families. Sara Edmonds, Head of Fundraising said this includes nappies, wipes, bottles, toiletries and travel-sized items for emergency travel packs.
“We are grateful to be working with the Coop to create such an easy and accessible way for islanders to get involved,” she said. “Our shopping list may seem basic, but the little things make a big difference. When you suddenly find yourself being medivaced to Southampton or needing to stay in hospital longer than expected, having the essentials delivered to you takes one more worry off your plate and saves a loved one from having to frantically pack. We want families to focus on themselves, and we continue to do everything we can to support this.”
Mark Cox, CEO of CI Coop, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation during Prematurity Awareness Month. At the Coop, community is at the heart of everything we do, and this initiative is a powerful way for islanders to come together and support families facing the unexpected challenges of premature birth. By simply picking up a few extra items while shopping, our customers can make a meaningful difference. It’s a privilege to help raise awareness and contribute to the PPBF’s vital work.”
Meanwhile, the Cornerstone Group is celebrating its 5th birthday with a new partnership with the PPBF.
As part of its commitment, and to honour its birthday milestone, the Group will buy 50 nights across the year – ten for each of its five venues – to help fund the PPBF’s compassionate housing next to Southampton Hospital. The three fully equipped and private flats, Aggie’s Burrow, Isaac’s Pad and Frankie’s Den, provide a lifeline for local families who need to travel off-island while their little ones receive urgent medical care.
To kick-start the partnership and to mark World Prematurity Day today all five businesses are raising money and awareness this week with 30 pence from every cup of coffee sold at Boosh and Marvin’s at Aztech going to the PPBF, along with £1 from every full English breakfast sold at Nutmeg throughout the week.
Collection tins will also be in situ at Cornerstone and Cock & Bull, with all proceeds from Friday’s meat draw at the Cock and Bull on Friday 21 November going to the charity.
Marvin Odillard, Founder of Cornerstone Group, said: “It’s wonderful to be celebrating five years in business, but the local community has always sat at the heart of everything that we do. I wanted to give back in a way that would create the greatest impact for islanders, so it’s great to be teaming up with PPBF to support their incredible work while also raising awareness. We’re looking forward to helping the team with their many important initiatives over the coming year, while maybe launching a few new ones!”
Jo Priaulx, Founder of PPBF, thanked all the staff for their support.
“We are so grateful to have Marvin and Cornerstone Group’s support, perfectly timed as they celebrate their own exciting milestone. Partnerships like these are powerful and help us continue working toward new milestones as we enter our 22nd year of helping Guernsey families. For us, raising awareness and funds go hand in hand, so it’s brilliant to have a partner committed to both.”
November marks Prematurity Awareness Month, raising awareness that 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely and promoting support for affected families.
The PPBF has asked supporters to wear purple and participate in fundraising activities for the charity’s Southampton-based compassionate housing, local hospital equipment and family resources.