Vital training equipment which will allow nurses and parents to practise life saving techniques on terminally ill children has been donated to local charity Jessie May by the DM Thomas Foundation.
The generous donation, which amounted to over £3000, has allowed the charity to invest in high quality Manikins – life-sized anatomical human models – which can be used in specialist training for techniques like resuscitation and clearing airways.
The DM Thomas Foundation, formerly known as the Hilton in the Community Foundation, presented Jessie May with the donation at a presentation at the Hilton Bristol hotel in Aztec West.
The presentation took place during a special pamper day at the hotel which was put on to thank Jessie May nurses and provide a respite break for the mums and carers of children cared for by the charity.
Jessie May head of fundraising, Julian Withers, said: “The donation from the DM Thomas Foundation is absolutely wonderful for the education of our nurses and parents.
“These Manikins are scarily life-like and mimic a child’s body exactly so they will provide really top quality training.
“Equipment like this is specialised and very expensive so we are grateful for the support of the Foundation as well as the continued support of the Hilton Bristol, who once again put on a lovely pamper day for our nurses, mums and carers.
“The families we care for don’t often get a break so treats like this are so important for their own wellbeing.”
Jessie May provides a hospice at home service for terminally ill children, offering care to families in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
It costs around £1,000,000 for the charity to provide this care yearly and Jessie May is almost entirely dependent on public support.
Simon Sheehan, Director of the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People said: “We are extremely proud to be partnering with Jessie May to provide parents of children with terminal illnesses with medical emergency training. Jessie May’s work in empowering families to care for children with life limiting conditions within their own homes is invaluable.”
The DM Thomas Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of young people believing that with the right support, all young people can fulfil their potential.
Through the ABLE giving framework, the Foundation helps young people in the UK and Europe to achieve their goals, beat or ameliorate health conditions, live independent and fulfilled lives and experience the best that life can offer.
Donations are funded almost entirely through the generous efforts and contributions of corporate partners and the wider community. Since its establishment in November 2000 (as Hilton in the Community Foundation), it has awarded £16 million to a wide range of fantastic projects that support young people.
