Chris Jones today handed-over a cheque for £500 to the special care baby unit (SCBU) at Harrogate Hospital.
Chris is a martial arts instructor who runs his own club in Knaresborough and is a father of two children. When his daughter Imani was born she had to spend some time in the SCBU giving Chris a very personal experience of the care they provide.
Chris recently held a sponsored sparring event to help raise the money for the unit and to spread the positive word about martial arts. He received support from over 50 people for the event.
Ward Manager, Gail Stanbridge and Chris Jones with Imani Jones
Chris explained more “Over the new year my daughter spent some time in the SCBU, I saw first hand the fantastic work the staff provide and felt the least I could do is give something back in way of thanks for all the help they gave to my daughter.
The event itself was essentially a list of over 50 students who all raised money to be allocated a 2 minute slot to spar against me. Whilst this was billed as a fun event it was still a huge challenge for me to complete”
An infusion pump similar to the one to be bought with the donation
I am keen for people to see past the ‘kicking and punching’ and to help them understand that Martial Arts very much more about leading a healthy life, both in body and mind.”
Explaining more about the wider benefits “Its about being a good person, leading by example. By giving back to the community in way of a donation to the SCBU I am hoping this will be one of many steps towards showing people locally the positive messages we are putting out.”
The ward manager, Gail Stainbridge explained what the unit will do with the money ” The donated money will buy the ward an infusion pump, it’s a volumetric pump that allows us to administer drugs slowly to babies
Donated money really makes such a difference to what we do as some of the equipment we use is just so expensive, an incubator costs £15,000 alone”
