The Stockton branch of Darlington Building Society is helping to bring comfort to the babies of North Tees Hospital’s neonatal unit and their children’s ward.
The High Street branch has made a £250 donation to the local branch of Project Linus, a national volunteer organisation that creates quilts for babies, children and teenagers, who are ill or traumatised.
The total was a combination of money raised from a member raffle and also a further donation from the Society’s community fund. The money will be used to purchase the fabric used by the Stockton-On-Tees arm of the charity, to create the bespoke quilts.
The branch decided to support the charity after regular customer and local coordinator for Project Linus, Marjorie Cook, made them aware of its work.
Marjorie Cook, Stockton area coordinator of Project Linus, said: “We’re very grateful to Darlington Building Society and its customers for the very kind donation.
“The money will be used to purchase the fabric that our network of volunteers use to sew quilts destined for North Tees Hospital’s neonatal Unit and Children’s wards.
“The quilts are used to brighten the cots and beds whilst they are in hospital and are given to the parents to take home once a baby or child, is well enough to be discharged.
“We want to provide comfort to as many poorly babies and children as possible, but because each quilt is gifted individually, there is always a demand for us to provide more.
“We say that a quilt is a hug you can keep and I think the physical reassurance that comes from being snuggled up is something everyone can relate to.
“We’re always looking for more volunteers. You don’t need to be an expert sewer to help. As long as you have your own machine and a little spare time, you can become part of Project Linus.”
Dawn Moore, Branch Manager at Darlington Building Society, said: “We made the decision to support Project Linus after Marjorie and I got talking over the counter. She talked so passionately about Project Linus that it touched all of our hearts.
“Darlington Building Society is committed to making a positive impact in our local communities and the fact that the quilts go to a local hospital meant we were only too happy to help.
“We hope that we can continue to support Project Linus throughout 2016 as Darlington Building Society celebrates 160 years supporting local people.”