A grateful family donated £1,000 to Bay Hospitals Charity in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit at Furness General Hospital to say thank you for the care given to their daughter after she was born eight weeks early. 

Hannah and Nathan Miller visited the unit to present their donation to the team after family and friends raised sponsorship by canoeing the length of Coniston Water. 

Inspiration for their fundraising adventure came from daughter Elsie, who was cared for at Furness General Hospital and Royal Preston Hospital following her birth in June. 

Elsie’s dad along with grandads Wayne Timmiss and Colin Miller, uncles Ben Timmiss and Kieran Miller and family friend Lewis Martin took on the challenge of paddling the lake to give back to the two hospitals. 

Hannah said: “It has got to be the hardest and most challenging time of our lives, but Elsie received amazing care from all the staff in both Barrow and Preston. 

“The boys completed canoe journey in difficult weather conditions, but they did amazingly well and we are all so proud of them and the amount we have managed to raise.” 

Bay Hospitals Charity funds the latest equipment for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to help make patients more comfortable and ensure they get the best possible care and treatment. 

Head of Charities and Fundraising Suzanne Lofthouse said: “Well done to the entire team for this amazing effort and thank you for the fantastic donation to Barrow’s Special Care Baby Unit. 

“It’s great to see Elsie is in such good health thanks to the amazing care offered by our NHS colleagues.” 

To donate and support your local NHS hospital, contact Bay Hospitals Charity on 01524 516064 or email [email protected]