Mid Yorkshire celebrates World Prematurity Day

a group of neonatal staff stood together on World Prematurity Day with purple bunting hanging overhead

The neonatal team at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is celebrating World Prematurity Day today with a bake sale aimed at raising awareness and funds for the babies and families they care for.

Staff are hosting a charity bake sale in the Atrium at Pinderfields Hospital, where colleagues, families and visitors are invited to enjoy homemade treats while supporting neonatal care. Through MY Hospitals Charity, all money raised will go towards Christmas presents for babies on the neonatal unit, transitional care, and the neonatal buddies group, which offers ongoing support to families after discharge.

The team is also sharing helpful resources, including guidance on caring for premature babies and signposting to specialist support services.

World Prematurity Day highlights the experiences of families whose babies are born early. Globally, 1 in 10 babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks), and many parents spend long hours at their baby’s bedside without being able to hold them. The day provides an opportunity to honour those babies, recognise the challenges families face, and celebrate the incredible strength shown across neonatal care.

Lauren Rogers from Wakefield had daughter Gracie at 36 weeks and 3 days’ gestation. She said: “All the staff have been lovely, really reassuring, and I know if Gracie is upset in the night, they’ll be right there for her.”

Mum, Lauren holding baby Gracie in a neonatal incubator

Catherine Weaver, Neonatal Ward Manager at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, said: “World Prematurity Day is extremely close to our hearts. Every year, we support hundreds of families through some of the most emotional and uncertain moments of their lives. This day allows us to honour their strength, celebrate the remarkable resilience of premature babies, and raise awareness of the specialist care they require. We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by our colleagues and communities - every penny raised helps us make a difficult journey that little bit easier for families.”

MY Hospitals Charity plays a vital role in supporting the neonatal unit - funding specialist equipment, enhancing patient care, and helping to create a more comfortable and supportive environment for families.

To find out more about how MY Hospitals Charity supports neonatal care, visit www.myhospitalscharity.org or make a donation to this important cause at https://bit.ly/MYNeonatalFund.