Focussed Friends Donate to Support Babies in Buscot Ward

Focussed Friends, a group of people with learning disabilities who meet at the Optalis Wokingham Community Lives day service, have once again come together to make a meaningful impact in their community. This time, the group focused their efforts on supporting BIBS (Babies in Buscot Support), collecting a range of essential items to donate to the Buscot Ward. BIBS is the dedicated charity to Buscot Ward, the neonatal unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. The unit cares for premature and poorly newborn babies.

Inspired by Children in Need, the group decided they wanted to support a local cause for children. Chris, a member of Focussed Friends, explained:

“I wanted to help the Royal Berkshire Hospital because it is our hospital, they help people.”

Since early November, members of Focussed Friends worked together to gather donations, hosting a bake sale that raised an impressive £256. Alongside this, the group collected nappies, with their efforts boosted by generous contributions from Morrisons and Tesco in Wokingham.

When the day arrived to hand over the donations, Focussed Friends and the wider Wokingham Community Lives group warmly welcomed Liz, BIBS Fundraising Manager, to personally present the items, including two lovingly hand-knitted blankets and 2,068 nappies. Some of the nappies were donated to the other children's wards in the hospital. They expressed pride in knowing their efforts would provide practical help to families of premature and unwell babies. 

The BIBS team warmly thanked the group for their kindness and generosity, noting the positive impact such donations have on families. “We rely solely on the local community to support our small charity, so we were very honoured to learn about the support from Focussed Friends and meet the group who were driving force behind this wonderful fundraiser." 

The Focussed Friends fundraiser is another example of how small acts of kindness, led with heart and community spirit, can make a big difference.