Launched in Mid-2022, the Serenity Appeal exceeded its £150,000 goal in just over a year, funding the Serenity Suite, a specialised bereavement area for the use of parents who have experienced the loss of an infant, as well as providing a mobile ultrasound scanner for Bassetlaw Hospital, amongst other improvements.
Following a rigorous selection process, the charity, which supports Bassetlaw Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital, was chosen as the winner of the NHS Communicate Award’s ‘Best NHS Charity Campaign’.
The Serenity Suite, which was officially opened by Her Royal Highness, Anne, Princess Royal, in September 2023, provides a private, dignified and comforting environment where families can find solace, process their grief, and create cherished memories with their little one. This facility has been meticulously designed to meet the unique needs of families experiencing baby loss, offering privacy, empathy, and specialised care.
Additional funds generated by the appeal were used to purchase a mobile ultrasound scanner, located at Bassetlaw Hospital, providing a better and more accessible experience for patients with pregnancy complications in Worksop.
Suzy Brain England OBE, Chair of the Board, said: “The success of the Serenity Appeal not only underscored the unwavering support from our local community, families, and businesses but also exemplified our commitment to providing compassionate care in times of need. The opening of the Serenity Suite marked a significant milestone in our journey towards ensuring that families experiencing baby loss receive the support and comfort they deserve.
“We are immensely grateful to all who contributed to this worthwhile project, particularly our supporters at Tickhill and Rural Lions, Albemarle Homes, and Sands United, as well as our skilled and dedicated Capital Projects and Estates and Facilities teams who delivered the suite in such short order, and I am delighted to see our charity recognised in this way.
“Most of all, I want to thank our communities, who took this appeal to heart and helped us make this dream a reality in little over 12 months.”
The NHS Communicate Awards took place on 7 March virtually.
To find out more about the incredible work of DBTH Charity, visit their website: www.dbthcharity.co.uk
