Pedal power – Call the Midwife style!

Prepare to be transported back to the 1950s and 1960s as midwives and doctors from The James Cook University Hospital embark on a “Call the Midwife” charity cycle ride.

Around 30 maternity staff will be donning fancy dress and getting on their bikes tomorrow to raise funds to create a bespoke bereavement room for our central delivery unit.

The sponsored ride will take place on Saturday 8 October with the team riding around the perimeter of the James Cook site from 11am and then heading up Marton Road and on to Centre Square, Middlesbrough, before heading back to the hospital.

Staff, patients and the local community are encouraged to support the fundraisers along the route as they pedal by in their fun costumes based on the popular BBC period drama series.

Aiming to raise £60,000

Debbie Bezance, central delivery unit manager, said that while they can sometimes use the neonatal team’s bereavement room they really need their own area in the maternity department that can be adapted for clinical use for any women who need medical support.

“Our target is to raise £60,000 to create a comfortable clinical room where our ladies can give birth, but which can be quickly transformed so it feels more relaxed and homely,” she said.

“This room really will change lives. It will give families time to create precious memories with their baby in a room which doesn't feel like a clinical hospital setting.”

Lisa Meehan, fundraising manager for Our Hospitals Charity which is supporting the event, said they are already half way to hitting their goal.

“More than £30,000 has already been raised by Chloe Whitney and her partner Liam, in memory of their baby girl Dottie,” she said.

“However, we still have a way to go so we are urging everyone to get behind the team and help us raise another £30,000.”

Debbie added: “We are all really excited to be taking part and to be collecting donations for such a special cause. It’s going to be amazing.”