Colleagues at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity are thanking local communities for their incredible response after £275 was donated in the days following the theft of funds at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI).
At the end of August, donations were stolen from a specially adapted incubator used as a collection point at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI).
The incubator – once a real piece of lifesaving equipment – had been repurposed for fundraising, but now requires repairs to be fit for use again.
In response, the local community has already contributed £275 online, showing strong support for the hospital’s ‘Mini Marvels’ appeal, which will fund projects and equipment to help babies and their families across Doncaster and Bassetlaw.
Funds from the appeal will help create comfortable parent rooms, fund specialist equipment, and supply play and emotional resources for siblings.
While the response has been positive, the temporary loss of the incubator marks the loss of a valuable fundraising stream.
The incubator, although a very new edition, had been a popular collection point, giving people an easy way to donate spare change while seeing a real piece of neonatal equipment up close.
Sarah Dunning, Fundraising Manager at DBTH Charity, said: “It is disappointing to lose the incubator as a fundraising tool but we are heartened by the community’s quick response and want to thank everyone who has donated following the news of the theft.
“However, we now have more to do in order to reach our appeal target and we’re encouraging local businesses, schools, and individuals to consider other ways to get involved and support our mini marvels.
“We have a range of events and activities throughout the year including running the Doncaster 10K, signing up for the charity’s sponsored skydive, or choosing the appeal as their ‘Charity of the Year’.”
To support the Mini Marvels Appeal, visit: https://dbthcharity.co.uk/mini-marvels-appeal