Bay Hospitals Charity

18/10/2026

Don’t Miss Out on the 60th Anniversary Keswick to Barrow Walk!

It may feel a little early to be talking about the Keswick to Barrow Walk 2027, but this year places filled faster than ever, and many people were disappointed to miss out.

That’s why we are inviting you to register your interest now for what promises to be an extra special year as we celebrate the 60th anniversary walk.

There is absolutely no commitment at this stage. Simply leave your contact details and we’ll make sure you have the opportunity to secure a place when registrations open.

Contact us: ​[email protected]​

Please share this with your family and friends so you can be part of this milestone event together!

14/10/2026

Sign up to the Bay Hospitals Charity Lottery and be lucky.🤞
Every week in the Bay Hospitals Charity Lottery you have the chance to win the £25,000 jackpot plus many other fantastic cash prizes, and at the same time you are helping Bay Hospitals Charity raise vital funds to support Morecambe Bay Hospitals.
For every £1 entry, at least 50p comes directly to Bay Hospitals Charity to help us improve the hospital environment, purchase the very latest in state-of-the-art equipment and provide extra care over and above what is currently provided by the NHS.
When you join our hospital lottery you are allocated your own unique 6-digit lottery number, a bit like a lucky dip.
A random winning number is drawn every Friday – the aim is to match the winning numbers. A match occurs if your digits are in the same place in the same sequence as they are in the winning number. To win a prize, you need to match 3, 4, 5 or all 6 digits of the winning numbers in the correct sequence. Match all 6-digits in sequence and you’ll win the weekly £25,000 jackpot.
1 in 63 chance of winning a prize
You can purchase more than one entry and you can pay for your entries by Direct Debit, credit/ debit card or cheque. Visit the Unity Lottery website to see all the different ways to enter.
A minimum of 50% of the total lottery proceeds are spent on supporting the work carried out by Bay Hospitals Charity, 18.4% on prizes and 31.6% on the running cost and administration of the lottery.
You must be 16 or over to enter and be resident in Great Britain. Once we receive your completed application we will send you an introduction letter with your unique six digit Unity Lottery number. This is the number which will be entered into the draw each Saturday provided your account has at least £1 per entry required in it at the time.
For more information and to sign up, go to:
https://www.bayhospitalscharity.org/lottery
For further information about responsible gambling, please visit:
www.begambleaware.org

13/10/2026

Family of baby Robyn back Sunshine Smiles Appeal for new outdoor play area at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
A family from Lancaster whose baby daughter went home for the first time on Thursday 8 October after months in hospital, is supporting Bay Hospitals Charity’s Sunshine Smiles Appeal for a new outdoor play area at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI).
Little Robyn Sargent was born at the RLI in April 2026 and, due to complex health needs, up until last week she had spent her entire life in hospital, receiving treatment in Lancaster and Manchester.
Robyn is doing well and has now been discharged home. Robyn’s family couldn’t be more delighted, and she continues to be cared for by the community teams of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT).
The aim of the Sunshine Smiles play area appeal is to create a space where babies like Robyn, older children and their siblings, can feel the sun on their faces, breathe fresh air and have the freedom to play in a safe and fun environment.
Robyn’s mum, dad, siblings and grandparents are all lending their support to the charity’s campaign to raise £35,000 to transform the Children’s Ward’s outdoor space into a welcoming area for children of all ages.
For Robyn’s parents, Harriet and Tim Sargent from Lancaster, the appeal is deeply personal. Alongside caring for their baby daughter, they are also bringing up Robyn’s older brother Sebastian, 2, and sister Adelaide, 5, as they navigate a family life turned upside down by months of hospital stays and uncertainty.
Harriet, a teacher at Lancaster Boys’ Grammar School, said: “Before Robyn arrived, we never imagined we would need a children’s ward for that length of time.
“You prepare for bringing your baby home, introducing them to family, taking walks together and enjoying those first precious months. Instead, Robyn’s journey has been very different and up until now, hospital has been the only home she has known.
“One of the most emotional moments for us was being able to bring Robyn outside. She had spent so long indoors. Suddenly there was sunlight, wind, fresh air and all the sounds and sensations of being outside. Watching her experience that for the first time was incredibly special. It reminded us how much of the world most children naturally get to explore and how important those experiences are.
“When Seb and Adelaide went to see their sister at the Children’s Ward, they needed somewhere to play and be children. We could spend time together with Robyn, but then Seb and Adelaide needed to run, play, use their imaginations and have a break from what could be quite a clinical environment. Having somewhere outdoors gave them that chance and helped make the visit feel more normal.”
Tim, who works at Heysham Power Station, and Harriet have always encouraged their children to spend time outdoors and understand the difference it can make to a child’s wellbeing and development.
Harriet said: “The outdoors has always been a huge part of our lives. Through volunteering locally, we have seen how much children gain from being outside, whether that is building confidence, learning new skills, using their imagination or simply having room to breathe.
“I hope everyone will support the appeal for a new outdoor play area because it will make such a difference to families like us.”
Claire Fox, Play Specialist on the Children’s Ward, said: “Stories like Robyn's remind us just how valuable play areas can be for children.
“Having somewhere safe and welcoming to go outdoors can make a real difference to families. We are so grateful to Robyn and her family for supporting the Sunshine Smiles Appeal.
“Every day I see how important play is for children who are spending time in hospital. Being admitted to hospital can be frightening and unsettling, particularly for younger children who may not fully understand what is happening around them. Play gives them an opportunity to express themselves, build confidence and enjoy moments of normal childhood, even when they are receiving treatment or recovering from illness.
“The appeal will help babies like Robyn, toddlers, older children and teenagers. It will support brothers and sisters, mums and dads, grandparents and visitors. We would encourage anyone who can support the appeal to get involved. Every donation, fundraiser and act of kindness will help create a space where families can make precious memories and where children can simply enjoy being children, even during the hardest times.”
The Sunshine Smiles Appeal aims to replace the current outdoor surface which has become very worn and create an accessible environment. Research shows that play can help reduce fear and anxiety, support emotional wellbeing and help children cope with unfamiliar environments.
Judith Read, Charity Manager for Bay Hospitals Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Harriet, Tim, Robyn, Seb, Adelaide and the wider Sargent family for sharing their story and supporting the Sunshine Smiles Appeal. Their experience highlights exactly why this project matters.
“We now need the support of our local communities and businesses to help turn this vision into reality. Whether through donations, fundraising events, sponsorship or partnerships, every contribution will help us create a brighter, more welcoming environment for children receiving care at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Together, we can make a lasting difference for thousands of families in the years ahead.”
Bay Hospitals Charity is inviting individuals, schools, community groups and local businesses to support the appeal through:
Donations
Fundraising events
Corporate sponsorship
Community fundraising initiatives
Charity partnerships
Every pound raised will help bring the project closer to reality and create brighter days for children. Setting up a fundraising page is quick and easy and a great way to share your plans with family and friends allowing them to offer support and donate:
Create a fundraising page | Bay Hospitals Charity
Donations to the Sunshine Smiles Appeal can be made by scanning this QR code:

For more information of Bay Hospitals Charity, please click here: Bay Hospitals Charity
END
Photo captions:
Harriet Sargent with baby Robyn and Play Specialist Claire Fox in the run-down play area at the Children’s Ward at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Harriet with Robyn
The run-down play area which is in need of updating

10/10/2026

Wear It Pink Day - Time to Plan Your Pink Outfit! 💗

It’s time to start thinking about your outfit for Wear It Pink Day!

Will you wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Services at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust?

Whether it’s a subtle splash of pink, a favourite accessory, or a head-to-toe pink masterpiece, we hope you’ll join us on 23 October, or at any time throughout October, to show your support for local breast cancer services.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps make a real difference. Funds raised will support our clinical teams in purchasing additional equipment and resources that enhance patient care, improve comfort, and provide vital support for those affected by breast cancer across Morecambe Bay.

👉 https://www.bayhospitalscharity.org/wear-it-pink

Not planning to wear pink yourself but would still like to support the cause? You can make a donation to our colleague Steve Hardiman, who will be bravely dressing head-to-toe in pink for the day!

Supporting Breast Cancer Services is a cause very close to Steve's heart, and he would be incredibly grateful for your support as he raises funds to help make a difference for local patients.

👉 https://www.bayhospitalscharity.org/Fundraisers/steve-hardiman-is-going-pink-for-the-day

So, dig out your brightest pink clothes, gather your colleagues, and start planning your outfit. Together, we can help provide the very best care and support for those affected by breast cancer in our community. 💗🎀

Wear it pink. Donate what you can. Make a difference.

08/10/2026

Five year old Isaac Armstrong recently held a cake sale to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) that cared for him when he was born prematurely.

Isaac’s mum, Luce Armstrong, shared their story:

"Isaac was born at just 34 weeks after I developed pre-eclampsia at 33 weeks. It was a very scary time, filled with uncertainty about whether he was going to be okay. Following an emergency C-section, Isaac needed support with his breathing and feeding due to being premature.

The SCBU team were incredible. From the reception staff, nurses, domestics and doctors, everyone showed such kindness and compassion. At a time when I felt completely helpless, they gave me the strength to keep going and supported not only Isaac but me as a new mum.

When Isaac needed further medical treatment, we were transferred to Preston. Once again, the care, support and reassurance we received made a difficult journey that little bit easier. Luckily, within a week, we were transferred back to Barrow SCBU, where the team helped us prepare for bringing Isaac home for the very first time.

They took the time to teach us how to feed Isaac through a tube and involved us in his care every step of the way. The care was outstanding, and I can never thank them enough for everything they did for Isaac, for me and for our family.

Isaac is now five years old and is a happy, bubbly, kind and caring little boy. We both wanted to give something back for all that the staff did for us. Without them, things could have been very different. No amount of thanks will ever be enough.

We hope to think of other ways to fundraise in the future as Isaac says it has been ‘the best thing ever!’”

Thank you so much to Isaac and Luce for supporting Bay Hospitals Charity and helping us continue to make a difference for babies and families receiving care on SCBU.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

07/10/2026

Helping Families Stay Close

Thanks to your support, Bay Hospitals Charity has funded two sleeper chairs and a new infographic board for the Intensive Care Unit at Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

The sleeper chairs will provide a comfortable place for relatives to rest and stay close to loved ones during some of life's most difficult moments. The infographic board will help families better understand the critical care environment, reducing anxiety and supporting conversations with staff.

Together, these improvements will make a real difference to patients and their families when they need it most.

Your donations directly support patient care.

👉 https://www.bayhospitalscharity.org/donate/donate-online

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS
Foundation Trust

06/10/2026

03/10/2026

We are delighted to have funded improvements to the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, helping the team provide faster, more effective care for patients.Thanks to charitable funding of £8,391.60, a room has been transformed from a consulting room into a dedicated clinical workspace and meeting area for doctors, coordinators and clinical leaders. This new multi-purpose space enables staff to work more collaboratively, improving patient management and flow through the unit.

The changes have also freed up valuable clinical space, allowing additional rooms to be used as acute assessment areas equipped with recliners and trolleys. This means more acutely unwell patients can be assessed and treated quickly within SDEC, helping to avoid unnecessary stays in the Emergency Department and ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

With demand for SDEC continuing to increase, these improvements will help the service function at full capacity, creating more acute assessment spaces, improving patient flow, and reducing lengths of stay.

This is a great example of how your charitable donations can make a lasting difference, not only for patients but also for the dedicated staff delivering their care every day.

Thank you to everyone who supports Bay Hospitals Charity. Together, you are helping us transform hospital environments and improve care across our communities.

03/10/2026

Play in Healthcare Week is Here!

This week, we’re celebrating the power of play on the Children’s Ward at Furness General Hospital as part of Play in Healthcare Week!

From “Magic Monday” and creative arts activities to games, therapeutic play and a special awards celebration, there’s a fantastic week of fun planned for our young patients, families and staff.

Play is so much more than fun. It helps children understand their treatment, reduces anxiety, supports emotional wellbeing and brings smiles during what can be a challenging time.

A huge thank you to our Play Specialists and ward teams who make such a difference every day, helping children feel supported, engaged and cared for throughout their hospital journey.

💜”You can help make moments like these possible”. Donations to Bay Hospitals Charity help us provide activities, equipment and enhancements that make a hospital stay more positive for children and their families.

👉Please consider making a donation today and help bring the power of play to children in hospital.



📸 Follow along this week as we share highlights from the activities and celebrations! we share highlights from the activities and celebrations

02/10/2026

We would love you to come and say hello to the Bay Hospitals Charity team today at Royal Lancaster Infirmary today between 9.30am and 1.30pm in the Canteen.
If you have any charity-related questions, we would love to hear from you and discuss how we can support you or indeed how you can support us.
With a range of dates and locations available, we hope it's easy to find a session that suits you. We look forward to meeting you, and sharing information on the work of your hospital charity! 🩷💜