Daughter honours late mother by donating to NHS charity’s Tiny Toes appeal
A mum whose sons were both born prematurely has donated £310 to Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity’s Tiny Toes appeal to honour her own mum’s memory.
Michelle Reading, of Kilnhurst, Rotherham, donated the funds to celebrate the life of Shirley Reading after she sadly passed away age 70 in June 2024.
Michelle and Shirley spent many months on the unit together when Michelle’s son Lewis was born six weeks early in 1999 and when Sam arrived 11 weeks prematurely in 2016. Lewis spent the first 17 days on the unit and Sam was cared for five months – one of the longest periods any baby has been cared for on the unit.
She said: “We raised money for the charity’s Tiny Toes appeal at her funeral because I know she wouldn’t have wanted it to go to any other cause. The unit became a second home for us during those challenging times, especially when I had Sam. My mum came every day to support me and to cuddle the boys.
“It’s so nice that the staff still remember her and to share our memories and anecdotes. I know she’d be proud that we raised money in her memory and so other families can receive the same level of comfort and care that we did.”
The charity’s Tiny Toes appeal was launched in August 2023 and has raised £140,000 of its £150,000 target.
The Trust has refurbished the unit for the first time in 40 years, with the charity continuing to fundraise to fund the resource and equipment the NHS cannot afford.
Rachael Dawes, Head of Fundraising, said: “We are so grateful to Michelle for her generous contribution in memory of her mother. Donations like these not only honour loved ones but also make a significant difference in the lives of our tiniest patients. We encourage others who wish to pay tribute to a loved one to consider supporting the Tiny Toes appeal or any area of our hospital that was meaningful to them.”