Community Raises £20,000 for Neonatal Care at Bradford Royal Infirmary

February 13, 2026 Off By

Local initiative supports families of critically ill newborns

A fundraising effort led by Ishfaq Farooq, Ambassador for Bradford Hospitals Charity and director of local businesses MyLahore and Wunder Crumble, has raised £20,000 in support of families with babies receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Background and motivation

The fundraising was inspired by Ishfaq Farooq’s personal experience more than 20 years ago when his nephew was born critically ill. At that time, a specialist cot was not available in Bradford, and the newborn had to be transferred to another hospital across Yorkshire. This situation highlighted the challenges faced by families, including long travel distances, disrupted routines, and limited accommodation options near the hospital.

One poignant memory for Ishfaq was seeing his sister-in-law go without food because she refused to leave her baby’s bedside. This experience motivated him to take action to improve support for parents in similar situations.

‘Home from Home’ accommodation project

The funds raised contribute to the ongoing development of a ‘Home from Home’ facility at Bradford Royal Infirmary. The project aims to provide accommodation for parents whose babies are in the hospital’s 31-cot neonatal unit, one of four level three units in Yorkshire.

Key features of the planned facility include:

Expansion to 10 bedrooms for overnight stays
A large kitchen and dining area
A living room, garden, and play area for families

The £20,000 raised by Ishfaq and his supporters will specifically help fund the kitchen and dining area, enabling families to prepare and eat meals close to their babies.

Community involvement and future goals

The fundraising event saw support from friends, family, colleagues, and the wider community connected to MyLahore and Wunder Crumble. Ishfaq Farooq expressed a desire to build on this momentum by engaging more local businesses, restaurants, and individuals to support the charity’s work.

To date, nearly £1.8 million has been raised for the ‘Home from Home’ project, including a significant £1 million donation from The Harry and Mary Foundation, alongside contributions from families, NHS staff, community groups, and local businesses.

Statements from organisers

Laura Riach, Director of Bradford Hospitals Charity, commented on the fundraising efforts: “Hearing Ishfaq’s family story was incredibly moving and we’re proud of everything he is doing. The funds raised demonstrate the power of community and lived experience, and will make a lasting difference for families.”