Corries’ Jane thanked by baby unit (From Bury Times)

Corries’ Jane thanked by baby unit

8:50am Friday 5th February 2010

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THE charity fighting the closure of Bury’s special care baby unit has revealed how a soap star helped vulnerable babies and their families.

Radcliffe-born actress Jane Danson donated £250,000 to the unit at Fairfield General Hospital just over a year ago following an ITV phone-in blunder.

She gave the money to the Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society, despite plans to close the unit next year as part of a shake-up of the region’s maternity services.

Now hospital staff have detailed how the money has helped special care babies and their parents over the last year. Ward manager Jackie Blease said: “It is an amazing amount of money that has been used to improve the environment of the building for parents and is already benefiting families.

“Anything that helps the babies and their families is rewarding for us.”

The unit has a fully refurbished kitchen and mother and baby rooms, as well as a new television and DVD-equipped breast feeding room for mums.

The rest of the money has been spent on vital equipment, including an ultrasound brain scanner, foetal monitor, Masimo pulse oximeter and three ventilators.

The Coronation Street star appeared on celebrity talent show Soapstar Superstar, but was controversially booted off in the first round when around one-fifth of the votes were not counted.

ITV were forced to repay the profits in December, 2008.

Jane chose to donate the money to the hospital’s charity after her son, Harry, was cared for at Fairfeld.

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