Month: January 2026

How a simple teddy is bringing reassurance, strength and smiles to families during hospital transfers.

Every year, hundreds of sick and premature babies across the East Midlands face hospital transfers for specialist care. Thanks to your generosity, these tiny patients never travel alone – they have Miles the teddy bear by their side.

The CenTre Neonatal Transport Service carries out around 1,539 transfers every year, moving babies between hospitals for intensive care or returning them closer to home. Each baby receives their very own Miles bear on their first journey – a small companion that makes a big difference.

Thanks to your ongoing support, another 2,500 bears are ready to hop onboard for the special journey. More than just a keepsake, these little bears bring comfort, reassurance, and a sense of calm to families during what can be an anxious and emotional time.

For Elijah, born in January 2020, Miles quickly became more than just a bear. His mum remembers seeing the tiny bear placed in his incubator during transfer, and how it has been part of Elijah’s life ever since.

Now four years old, Elijah lovingly calls him “Baby Bear.” From hospital appointments to holidays, food shopping, and even birthday parties, Baby Bear is always by his side. Elijah, who has autism, finds deep comfort in the bear’s familiar presence. When he feels upset or overwhelmed, holding Baby Bear close helps him find calm. Elijah’s bear remains his closest companion – now carefully carried in a backpack to keep him safe.

His mum told us, “The Miles bear is not just a bear, keepsake or reminder for us, he’s part of the family. There’s not a time you will see Elijah and not see Baby Bear nearby.”

Julie Needham, Matron on the CenTre Neonatal Transport Team, added, “On behalf of the team at CenTre and the families we support, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who generously donated to fund our beloved Miles bear. His presence brings so much comfort and joy to the babies and their families during what can be an incredibly stressful and emotional time. Miles is loved by everyone. Your contributions have made a real difference, and we are so grateful for the love and kindness you’ve helped us share.”

Stories like Elijah’s show that something as simple as a teddy bear can bring lasting comfort – sometimes for many years to come.

Thank you for helping us provide families with strength, reassurance, and a very special travelling companion.

A brand-new, purpose-built milk kitchen is now in use at Leicester General Hospital’s Neonatal Unit – made possible by your generous support.

Until recently, the unit had no dedicated space for preparing and storing specialist formula milk. Bottle preparation, sterilisation and milk storage had to share space with the mothers’ expressing room – a setup that was both impractical and lacking in privacy.

Now, thanks to your kindness, parents have a dedicated kitchen where they can wash and sterilise equipment, prepare milk and take a more active role in their baby’s care from day one. And the redesign of the expressing room provides new mothers with the privacy they deserve.

Previously, many premature or unwell babies at Leicester General requiring specialised formula milk had to be transported back to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where a suitable milk kitchen is available. These transfers could be distressing for parents and physically challenging for babies.

With the new facility in place, those transfers are no longer necessary unless clinically essential. This means more babies can remain at Leicester General Hospital, without disruption.

“Feeding is such a fundamental part of bonding with your baby,” explained Rachel McCoy, Ward Manager on the unit. “This kitchen allows new parents to do that in a safe, supportive and private space.”

Rebecca from Blaby has been using the new milk kitchen for baby Mabel since giving birth four weeks ago. She said “My little Mabel made an early entrance into the world and has been receiving the most fantastic care on the Neonatal Unit. I’ve used the milk kitchen each day to make the special formula my baby needs to grow stronger to be able to come home. I’m so grateful that the kitchen is here and that I’m able to have some control over caring for my baby.” The impact goes beyond convenience – it’s about dignity, safety and emotional wellbeing

This project has already brought peace of mind to families and staff alike, and it is only possible because of the kindness of supporters like you.

Thanks to your generosity, Leicester’s tiniest patients can stay closer to their loved ones, and parents can be part of the precious early moments of feeding, bonding and caring – right here at Leicester General Hospital.

A new, state-of-the-art point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) machine is now in daily use a Leicester Royal Infirmary’s (LRI) Acute Medical Unit (AMU)-  thanks to your support.

The AMU is where some of the hospital’s most acutely unwell patients are treated. Previously, just one scanner was shared between specialist medical wards, creating unhelpful delays and limiting access. Now, with a dedicated machine based on the AMU, clinical teams can deliver faster, safer, and more effective care.

The equipment is already making a significant impact. Used multiple times a day, it allows our doctors to carry out real-time bedside imaging to make urgent decisions and begin treatment immediately. This can be vital in time-critical situations, such as diagnosing infections, locating
internal free fluid, or assessing heart and lung function in patients with breathing difficulties.

“This scanner has helped to streamline the way we care for our patients,” said Dr Salam Al-Alousi, Consultant in Acute Medicine. “It gives us the ability to make an accurate diagnosis right at the bedside – even during the initial assessment – so we can start the right treatment straight away. It’s faster, and often much kinder for our patients.”

The new machine is also enhancing care during invasive procedures. “When we’re placing cannulas or performing procedures like lumbar punctures, the ultrasound machine helps us guide the needle in real time,” said Dr Al-Alousi. “That means fewer attempts, less discomfort for the patient, and a better overall experience.”

Unlike traditional scans, which often require patients to be moved or referred to other departments, this top-of-the-range device brings advanced diagnostics directly to the patient’s bedside. In some cases, it has replaced the need for formal X-rays, offering far greater clarity and accuracy.

The new machine is not only transforming care for our patients but also helping to train the next generation of acute medicine consultants. As part of a region-wide programme in POCUS, our hospitals are playing a leading role in teaching doctors how to use this tool. This means Leicester’s Hospitals are at the forefront of improving patient outcomes – both here in Leicester and across the East Midlands.

This transformative piece of equipment is already delivering round the clock care, improving diagnosis, speeding up treatment, and reducing pressure on other hospital services.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of people like you, staff at Leicester Royal Infirmary now have a top-of-the-range tool to deliver the very best care for some of the hospital’s most poorly patients.