WHISTON Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit holds a dear place in the heart of many families.
But thanks to two cousins who raised £1,285 to thank the unit staff for saving a baby boy's life, a new sibling room has been unveiled which will help families stay together.
Ellie and Mason
Mason Hill, seven, and Ellie Turner, 10, from Haydock, were shocked when Mason's little brother Oaklan had to spend "most of his babyhood" in the Special Care Baby Unit. Oaklan was born at 34 weeks and then contracted sepsis and jaundice.
After he came home, Legh Vale Primary pupils Mason and Ellie decided to do something to thank the Special Care Baby Unit at Whiston Hospital that saved his life.
Ellie and Mason, right, with the siblings of Cody Farrar whose fundraising also went towards the Sibling's Room
They came up with the idea of doing an elastic ball challenge, getting people to guess how many bands had made up the ball.
After raising £1,285.75, the ward staff then added money the siblings of Cody Farrar from Widnes had raised, to make a special room full of games, a TV, comfy corner, books and more so that siblings of children in the wards can come and spend their time while their younger siblings are being treated.
The fundraising children with staff and some of the babies, and their mums, who have been treated on the unit
It was officially unveiled at the Special Care Baby Unit on Thursday, February 13.
Ellie said: "It's crazy to see this because we did it to thank the hospital and now there is all of this, it's really good. We are both really, really proud."
Leads for developmental care, ward sisters Lynne Banks and Denise Leach added: "We have wanted to do a sibling room for ages as it is needed so we can offer family integrated care so siblings have a fun safe place to come while the babies are being looked after.
"So when Ellie and Mason raised funds, and Cody's family did too, we decided to put that money towards making that happen and transforming our waiting room.
"It is amazing to see them here today, as the babies in here are often so poorly, so to see them happy and enjoying this room what the money they have raised has gone towards is amazing.
"We've put a plaque up with everyone's names on and we will be adding to this area too with soft play items very soon."
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