ABOUT US

We are the charity dedicated to making a difference for families on the Stoke Mandeville Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The charity has three main aims:

To fund equipment for the unit, over and above what the NHS can provide. For example, some previous purchases made by BURPS are twin cots, a therapeutic cooling machine, a brain scan monitor and a contribution towards portable x-ray machine which fits over incubators.
To improve facilities for families. For example, funding reclining nursing chairs, double beds for the parents living room and a bigger fridge for the storage of expressed breast milk and covering the licence costs of the v-create photo and video messaging platform, which allows nurses to securely send pictures and videos of the babies to their parents during the hours that they can't be cot side (e.g. when resting at home and looking after older children).
To improve support available for parents. This includes comfort items providing to parents such as a welcome bag containing useful items for their time on the NICU, information leaflets, essential baby care items for families in need and gifts to help lift spirits when parents should be celebrating with their little ones in the outside world.

MEET THE TEAM

The charity was formally registered in 2000 by a group of parents who had spent time on the NICU, though it began in a more informal guise a few years before this. The charity continues to be run by a group of volunteers, who all have a link to the unit. The current team of volunteers are below.

Nikki

Nikki's son Spencer was born at 34 weeks in 2022 and spent 11 days in neonatal care. Nikki is the Chair and one of the Trustees.

Lindsey

Lindsey's son Benjamin was born at 26 weeks in 2004 and spent 4 and a half months in neonatal care.

Lindsey is the Treasurer and one of the Trustees.

Stewart

Stewart's son Ted was born at 42+2 in 2022 and spent 4 weeks in neonatal care. Stewart is the IT Lead and one of the Trustees.

Ayesha

Ayesha's daughter Aaliyah was born at 28 weeks in 2021 and spent 5 and a half months in neonatal care. Ayesha is the Extended-Stay Family Support and Diversity Lead.

Hilary

Hilary is one of the many amazing NICU staff members and is also the BURPS Charity x Unit liaison.

Allan and Lizzie

Allan and Lizzie's son George was born in 2023 and spent 10 days in neonatal care. Allan is the Fundraising Lead. Lizzie is the Strategy Lead and one of the Trustees.

Becca

Becca is the Neonatal Lead for Bucks Maternity Voices - her daughter Clemmie was born full term in 2022 and spent time in Transitional Care.

Ursula

Ursula's son and daughter spent time in neonatal care - Elliot in October 2016 and Lolly in February 2022. Ursula is the Secretary and one of the Trustees.