Charity truck pull boosts appeal funds at Scunthorpe hospital

A charity truck pull has raised more than £1,000 in aid of Scunthorpe hospital’s maternity bereavement appeal.

The event, which was held at Glanford Park, was organised by James Johnson and his partner Stacey Richards, of Winterton. They wanted to raise money for the appeal in memory of their stillborn son Braylyn Richards-Johnson who was delivered on April 20 this year.

James said: "While Stacey was in hospital we heard about the bereavement appeal from the nurses. The pain of losing our baby will never go away but we decided we wanted to help create that much needed suite for parents to be able to spend time with their baby and family.”

The event saw people pulling either an eight tonne or 15 tonne truck, which haulage company boss Shane Brocklehurst from Winterton kindly donated for the day. He also donated £250 to the fundraiser, which helped swell the coffers to £1,402.

The Health Tree Foundation is the official charity for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and this is just one of its appeals which it is running.

The suite will provide a quiet haven for mothers who have just given birth to a stillborn baby or mothers who have only a few hours to spend with their newborn child before it passes away.

James added: “Stacey and I would like thank everyone involved in making the day a success and to all of those people who have kindly donated raffle prizes and donations.”

If you would like to hear more about the appeal or the HTF please contact community champion Hayley Thompson on 03033 305672 or email: Hayley.thompson3@nhs.net.