Major £1 million gift from The Harry and Mary Foundation to build a ‘Home from Home’

A £3 million appeal to build a ‘Home from Home’ for families with babies born early or unwell has reached its halfway milestone, thanks to a £1 million donation from The Harry and Mary Foundation.  

Each year, around 500 babies begin their journey in Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Born prematurely - as early as 22 weeks - or facing serious health challenges, they require urgent, specialist care from their very first breath.

Bradford Hospitals Charity, in partnership with The Sick Children’s Trust, is launching its public appeal. They’re building accommodation with five new en-suite bedrooms, a large communal kitchen and lounge, washing and laundry facilities, a quiet garden, and a play area for siblings – just steps away from the NICU.

The unit already offers five bedrooms, a small kitchen and family room, but this build will give more families a free place to stay overnight and offer all families on the unit the space to cook, rest, and reflect while staying close to their baby.

John, Robert, and Bob, The Harry and Mary Foundation Trustees, said: “We are delighted to support this important project, which will benefit countless future Bradfordians and their parents. The foundation promotes good health among young people in the city and its hinterland, so this project aligns directly with its core objective. We were privileged to visit the Neonatal Unit and were deeply moved by the dedication and professionalism of the staff, as well as the devoted care given to the babies and their families. 

“Harry and Mary Clough were dyed-in-the-wool Bradfordians and were clear that they wanted their legacy to have a positive impact on the well-being of its people. This is our largest donation so far, and we could not conceive of a more worthy recipient, nor a better way of honouring their memory. We extend our good wishes and thanks to everyone involved in this much-needed development.”  

Over £500,000 has already been raised by parents who have experienced neonatal care firsthand, the dedicated staff who care for babies and families around the clock, as well as passionate community groups and businesses.

Camélia and her husband Dom were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their second son, Celestin, in June this year. But their joy turned to fear when he arrived far too soon—at just 24 weeks. He spent four months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

“Having the use of accommodation made the difference to my 24-week premature baby, allowing me to be with him throughout the day and night during our four months in Bradford,” said Camélia.

"It was important for my family, particularly my six-year-old son, to spend time with his mum and baby brother. Celestin is now 9 months old and is a very happy and healthy baby. It’s been a rollercoaster but we’re so glad that we were able to be with him every step of the way. By expanding accommodation, families will be able to be together whilst being there for their babies who need all the love and care they can receive.”

Louise and Ben have raised over £3,000 for the appeal, in memory of their son Alfred, to help transform the experience of parents using the unit in the future. They welcomed Alfred on 6 January 2025, 13 weeks premature, and he was transferred from Sheffield to Bradford Royal Infirmary’s NICU when he was 10 weeks old. “Alfred was ventilated for the majority of his life and sadly, we lost him on 29 May 2025,” explained Louise.

“During that time, we were offered a room so we could be close to him and be close by in those final moments. It allowed us to be his parents, it allowed me to be his mum. It allowed me to be here as much as I wanted and needed to be, to change his nappy and do his feeds and know I’m just around the corner for him, that I’ve not abandoned him by going home. Having a Home from Home would have transformed our experience, or any parents experience in the neonatal unit.”

Vicky Jones, Perinatal Palliative Care Co-ordinator at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said: “Parents become pregnant, and they have this idea that everything is going to be fine and all of a sudden, they are thrust into this world of neonatal unit. Families come from Bradford, but they also come from far and wide. We have got machines, we have got alarms, and we have got very sick babies. Families go from hope to fear and then back up to hope - it’s an emotional rollercoaster.

“We can’t do anything about the machines and the environment, but we can do something about a family’s basic needs and make sure they’re eating, have somewhere comfortable to sleep, or a place to rest. If we’re doing that then at least we’re doing something that makes their life easier during this absolutely horrendous time.”

Construction will begin in 2026, and the building is expected to be completed within 12 months - meaning families could be welcomed into the ‘Home from Home’ as early as 2027.

Laura Riach, Director of Bradford Hospitals Charity, said: “The generosity of The Harry and Mary Foundation has propelled this project forward. The money raised so far is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together for a cause that truly matters.

“We still have a long way to go, and this is where we need support from our kind and compassionate communities across Bradford. Everyone knows someone who was born prematurely — a friend, a neighbour, a family member. Together we can give families the chance to stay close to their baby when it matters most - donate or take on a fundraising challenge.”

From 2 until 9 December, you can double the value of your donation towards the Home from Home appeal, as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge. During the week, every very pound you donate on the Big Give platform will be matched, if you give £10 the appeal will receive £20.

Jane Featherstone, Chief Executive Officer at The Sick Children’s Trust, said: “The new ‘Home from Home’ will be the same extremely high standard as The Sick Children’s Trust’s other homes around the country, and will enable us to help more families by providing them with a vital place to stay, somewhere to rest, cook and give some sense of normal life at what is a traumatic time. We need to raise £3 million to make our new ‘Home from Home’ a reality and ensure families with a baby in neonatal care in Bradford have somewhere to stay nearby.”

There are loads of exciting fundraising opportunities coming up and we’re accepting donations for the appeal year-round. Donate using the Home from home Just Giving page, or to get involved call 01274 274809 or email charity@bthft.nhs.uk.