PPBF embark on an exciting long-term project to benefit local families

The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation is hoping to purchase a property near Southampton General Hospital to provide accommodation and support for local families with premature and poorly children. The property will be called ‘The Burrow’ and will offer local families a stable and comfortable home to stay in whilst their little one undergoes critical hospital care. Being miles away from home can be extremely daunting, so The Burrow aims to be the home-away-from-home that will make a real difference during such stressful times that can last for days, weeks or months. The charity recently launched their ‘Be a Big Softy and Buy-a-Brick’ campaign allowing islanders to buy virtual bricks, with all proceeds going towards the purchase of the property. ‘The flat that is currently leased to us in Southampton can accommodate just one family at a time. The challenge we face daily is that the flat is permanently occupied throughout the year but there will always be more than one poorly little one needing to go to Southampton at the same time,’ explains Jo Priaulx, co-founder of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation. ‘We want to be able to help more families because the need is there and we can’t do that unless we purchase a property of our own.’ Local couple John and Dawn Sealey have experienced the invaluable support offered by the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation when their son was born 12 weeks early and rushed to Southampton Hospital for urgent treatment. Dawn Sealey says: ‘The additional equipment provided to the neonatal unit by the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation was a huge help but what really made the difference was being able to stay in the flat for four weeks. It was extremely reassuring to know that when we weren’t on the unit we could be by Jack’s side within minutes and we even managed to cook ourselves a mini Christmas lunch as the flat was so well equipped.’ The Burrow has already received a fantastic response including £3,300 raised from Acorn Lifestyle’s kitchen auction at the Homelife Show and an additional donation of £1,000 from Simon and Rachael Holland who received support from the charity when their son was born 12 weeks early. Over 1,000 bricks have already been bought along with a number of donations and fantastic fundraising events but there is still a long way to go to reach the goal of £150,000. Nick Leale and the team Investec Private Banking are also supporting the project to make this dream a reality. You can be part of Burrow history too by visiting: www.ppbf.org.gg/the-burrow

Le Mont Saint Garage now supporting The Burrow

Jo Priaulx and Ali Lihou from the PPBF met up with Pete Beausire from Le Mont Saint Garage and Nick Leale from Investec Private Banking yesterday morning. During the meeting at Investec’s office, Pete presented the PPBF with a cheque for £500.00 to go towards The Burrow, the charity’s biggest project yet! ‘We are honoured to support this amazing local charity and to help buy bricks to go towards The Burrow!’ says Pete. The work that the PPBF does is close to Pete's heart, as his god-daughter was born prematurely. The PPBF would like to thank Pete and the team from Le Mont Saint Garage for their generous donation and for their willingness and enthusiasm to get involved with The Burrow.

Island Dog Training Club raises £500 for The Burow

31 members of the Island Dog Training Club along with their four-legged companions took part in a sponsored walk to raise money for the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation’s latest project. The charity, founded by professional racing driver Andy Priaulx and his wife Jo, helps local families with premature babies and children in need of critical medical care. The sponsored walk raised a total of £1,000 and £500 will go towards The Burrow, the charity’s biggest and most exciting endeavour yet. The aim of The Burrow is to purchase a property near Southampton Hospital that can be used by local families while their child undergoes off-island treatment. The remaining £500 will go towards new training programmes and equipment at the Island Dog Training Club. Participants invited their family members along to the morning walk, which took place between Grandes Rocques and Rousse earlier this year. Christianne Beardow, a member of the Island Dog Training Club, has experienced the early birth of a child and understands the importance of the work done by the foundation. ‘Our son Lucas was born seven weeks premature and was only 3.1lbs,’ explains Mrs Beardow. ‘He couldn’t come home for six weeks which felt like a lifetime and my husband Mark and I are so grateful for all of the care he received during such a daunting time. We were delighted when we heard that the club wanted to raise money for a charity that we’ve had first hand experience with.’ ‘We would like to thank Georgian Le Breton, President of the Island Dog Training Club, and everyone involved in the sponsored walk,’ adds Jo Priaulx, co-founder of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation. ‘The Burrow has had a great response so far and we’re delighted that so many of you want to get involved to help us reach our long-term goal.’ You can find out more and be part of Burrow history by visiting: www.ppbf.org.gg/the-burrow

The Burrow is £60,000 closer to becoming a reality

2015 saw the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation raise £60,000 for their latest project. The aim of The Burrow is to purchase a property next to Southampton Hospital that families across the Bailiwick can use if their newborn baby or child requires critical off-island treatment. A fantastic number of donations and fundraising efforts by individuals and local businesses, along with the success of the 2015 Christmas Markets, have brought the charity closer to reaching the £150,000 needed to purchase a property of their very own. The Guernsey Market Place supported the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation during all of last month’s Thursday and Saturday Markets. Fundraising also took place at the Christmas Carol Service and Santa’s Grotto. The grotto, created by NSP Foundations and organised by Donna Edwards and Tessa Le Gallez, proved extremely popular. An impressive total of £3,000 was raised throughout the festive period. Jo Priaulx, co-founder of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation says: ‘During such a stressful time it makes a massive difference to have a comfortable place to stay that is close to your child while they undergo treatment.’ ‘We are so fortunate to have a flat that we can offer to local families for days, weeks or months but, because it is in constant use, there is a real need for The Burrow,’ explains Mrs Priaulx. 'Having an additional property would help tremendously as we would be able to provide accommodation to more than one family at a time.’ Dawn and John Sealey experienced the support offered by the charity at first-hand when their son Jack was born 12 weeks early and required vital treatment at Southampton Hospital. The couple were able to stay in the flat for four weeks until Jack was well enough to come home. ‘It was reassuring to know that when we weren’t on the ward, we could be by Jack’s side in minutes.’ says Mrs Sealey. ‘We were also provided with a mobile phone for a UK SIM so that we wouldn’t come home to a huge bill. The PPBF looked after us by thinking of all the little things both practically and emotionally. We have stayed in touch with the charity ever since and, through the work that they do, I got to meet a number of other families who have been in a similar situation to us.’ ‘We aim to purchase The Burrow by 2017 and with the wonderful response it has received so far, we hope this will be achievable,’ adds Mrs Priaulx. ‘Thank you to all of our supporters and to the team at Investec Private Banking for giving this project a voice in 2015. There is still a long way to go but we are excited to see what 2016 brings.’ You can find out more by visiting: www.ppbf.org.gg/the-burrow and if you or your business would like to be part of The Burrow’s journey then get in touch by emailing ali@ppbf.org.gg.

Local pub helps to purchase 400 bricks for The Burrow

The Cock and Bull has presented the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation’s latest campaign with a cheque for almost £2,000. Founders of the pub, Stephen and Michelle Taylor, were inspired to support the charity during all of their music nights back in December by two of their close friends John Sealey and Tom Bradshaw. Since The Cock and Bull opened its doors in 1997, musicians John and Tom regularly played at the pub in a band called DAVE and shared a mutual love for performing. However, a few years ago both of their lives were turned upside down when John’s son was born 12 weeks early and Tom’s son was diagnosed with a number of complex congenital heart defects. John and his wife Dawn spent a month in the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation’s flat in November 2013 while their son Jack received critical treatment. In the same year, Tom Bradshaw’s family were also able to stay in the flat while young Harry underwent lifesaving open heart surgery at only 17 weeks old. ‘Two years on it’s so wonderful to see our boys playing together after everything they went through,’ says Dawn Sealey. ‘It’s crazy that within our close group of friends, two of us have needed to use the PPBF’s flat. This highlights just how many lives are affected by the premature birth of a child and the need for a second property.’ Michelle Taylor, co-founder of The Cock and Bull adds: ‘We have known John and Tom for a long time and were very aware of the great help the PPBF’s flat was to both of them during such difficult times. We are delighted that our collections for The Burrow were so successful!’ The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation is hoping to raise £150,000 by 2017 to purchase a property next to Southampton Hospital called The Burrow. It will be used alongside the charity’s currently gifted flat for local families with poorly children needing critical off-island treatment. ‘We would like to thank The Cock and Bull and everyone who donated so generously to us,’ says Jo Priaulx, co-founder of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation. ‘It’s such a great feeling to know that the Sealey and Bradshaw families truly benefited from the support we were able to give them.’ The total amount raised is equivalent to around 400 virtual bricks that will contribute to the purchase of The Burrow. Visit: www.ppbf.org.gg/The-Burrow to find out how you can get involved in the PPBF’s Buy-a-Brick campaign for only £5.00 a brick.

Volunteers needed for Christmas Markets!

We are delighted to be the market’s chosen charity this year and we’re looking for volunteers with festive cheer and a friendly smile to help with our Buy-a-Brick stall! The markets will take place in town every Thursday and Saturday starting from Santa’s much anticipated visit on Saturday 28th November to switch on the Christmas lights through until Saturday 19th December. We’ll need help on the following days so that we can be part of the festivities: Thursday late night shopping evenings: 5.30/6pm until 8.30/9pm Saturdays: 10am until 5.30pm If you’re interested, we’d love to hear from you. Even if you can only spare an hour or two, your help will be greatly appreciated! Please email ali@ppbf.org.gg or text/call 07781 160080 if you would like to get involved.

Santa's Grotto taking place at late night shopping in aid of the PPBF!

Come and visit Santa during late night shopping on the 10th and 17th of December at the Town Market Inner Street between 6pm - 8pm. £5 a child with all proceeds going to the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation. Don't miss out!

Row24 challenge to raise money for The Burrow and The Ivy Trust

Simon Johns and James Coquelin will be attempting to break a world record and raise money for charity by rowing nonstop for 24 hours on the 12th & 13th of February. The event will be taking place at Tri Fitness as they will be sponsoring the challenge along with TPA Creative. Money will be raised for The Burrow, the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation's biggest project and The Ivy Trust. The aim of The Burrow is to purchase a property next to Southampton Hospital for local families with poorly children and The Ivy Trust is a local charity that supports parents after the loss of a baby during pregnancy / soon after birth. ‘I don’t doubt that non-stop rowing for 24 hours is going to be extremely tough! The fact that James and Simon are willing to put in this much effort to raise money for The Burrow is just amazing. We wish the pair the best of luck in breaking a world record and we are so grateful to be supported by their challenge.’ - Jo Priaulx ‘I am sure there will be some dark moments, rowing all out for 20 minutes and then having only 20 minutes rest before going again will test our mental and physical strength beyond anything we can really imagine. Hopefully the thought of helping families in need, through our chosen charities, will help to keep us going.’ - James Coquelin You can donate and find out more by visiting the Row24 Facebook event: https:// www.facebook.com/ events/ 1549070332074553/ #Row24hours