31 August 2023

New Forest: New Forest for Ukraine Collaboration

New Forest for Ukraine Collaboration – Life Saving Support for Premature & Newborn Babies.

In a new and innovative three-way collaboration with a UK Incubator Manufacturer, midwife Wendy Warrington and New Forest for Ukraine (NFFU) we are targeting support towards premature and newborn babies. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has instigated a major emergency in the provision of neonatal care to small, sick and vulnerable newborn infants. – 32 babies are born prematurely everyday who require urgent help a 23% increase because of the war, compounded by the fact that 130 maternity hospitals have been destroyed. The need to support has never been greater.

What do we need – MORE KNITTERS, TO JOIN OUR MILFORD LADIES KNITT AND NATTER GROUP, MORE WOOL, MORE SANTIARY/TOILETRY ITEMS FOR NEW MUMS & MORE £ DONATIONS – TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

For more information on how to get involved email info@newforestforukraine.co.uk

mOm Incubators

NFFU were introduced to James Roberts, the designer and founder of mOm Incubators -recently featured on national TV. (Link below) His units are totally self-sufficient, readily transportable, and can be supported by a simple car battery if needed. The units have been trialed by the Ministry of Healthcare in Ukraine, who have taken delivery of 75 units and have issued an urgent appeal for 100 more!

James Roberts

A young pioneer in tech healthcare, with childhood connections with the New Forest

NFFU

Our volunteers across the Forest and beyond are busy raising funds and producing newly knitted matinee outfits, blankets and teddies, which along with sanitary and toiletry items for the new mothers. NFFU will deliver these gifted comfort boxes directly into Ukraine for distribution by Wendy alongside the incubators.

Wendy Warrington (See Link below)

A British midwife who gave up her job with the NHS to travel across Ukraine sharing her skills and expertise, has developed the direct contacts with pediatric clinicians who are desperate for these units. Wendy is charged with vetting and distributing the units to clinicians on her journeys across Ukraine and has embraced the collaboration. She said ‘The NFFU baby boxes with a knitted comforter, baby blanket, hat and layette are a lovely touch. Combined with sanitary and toiletry items, any little luxuries that we can add really do make a difference.’

Theresa Magner, the NFFU Knitting Co-Ordinator, reflected ‘It’s amazing to be part of such a campaign. With the support of our local people providing wool, the skills of our Forest based knitting groups producing some amazing, knitted items, and our transport team actively carrying these items out there, we all have a chance to show our commitment to help those most vulnerable in this terrible conflict. It’s an honour to be part of this heart touching and truly lifesaving project’

Useful Links

You can find out more about Wendy Warrington and the Knitting & Incubator Campaign by following the links here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0g3gh0l

https://www.instagram.com/newforestforukraine/

Photo’s here:
https://www.newforestforukraine.co.uk/gallery

James Roberts – BBC Interview