Bradford NICU Family Accommodation Reaches £2 Million Funding Milestone

Significant donation advances new on-site facilities for families

The ‘Home from Home’ appeal, aimed at providing free accommodation for families with babies receiving treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), has reached a funding milestone of £2 million. This progress was supported by a £250,000 donation from Sovereign Health Care.

Details of the new accommodation project

The appeal is a collaboration between Bradford Hospitals Charity and The Sick Children’s Trust. It seeks to build additional on-site family accommodation at Bradford Royal Infirmary, which is one of four specialist NICU units in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The planned new building will include:

• Five additional en-suite bedrooms, complementing the existing five rooms currently available
• A fully equipped kitchen and dining room
• A peaceful garden accessible to all families on the neonatal unit
• Play areas designed for siblings of babies receiving care

Support and impact

Sovereign Health Care’s donation has accelerated the project, helping to cover planning, design, and construction costs. The organisation has a longstanding history of supporting health and wellbeing initiatives in Bradford and the surrounding area.

Families who have used the existing facilities have emphasised their importance. For example, Annie and Matthew Wise, whose son Bodhi was born prematurely at 26 weeks and spent five weeks on the NICU, highlighted the value of having accommodation close to their baby during a difficult time.

Other contributions to the appeal include a £1 million gift from The Harry and Mary Foundation, support from local businesses, former NICU families, and numerous individual donors.

Next steps for the appeal

With £2 million raised, the appeal is progressing towards its overall target of £3 million. The remaining funds will support:

• Reconfiguration of the current neonatal unit
• Landscaping of the garden area
• Installation of play areas
• Furnishing and decorating all rooms

Further fundraising efforts continue, and members of the public can contribute through donations, fundraising challenges, or by purchasing personalised bricks as part of the project.

More information about the appeal and ways to support it can be found at bradfordhospitalscharity.org/neonatal-appeal.