Alfie’s Ball raises big funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Southend Hospital

Ashingdon based parents and longstanding supporters of Southend Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have made their most recent donation of £11,903. Their donation came following a successful evening of fundraising in July this year.

Emma and Danny Cox host their annual charity ball, Alfie’s Ball in memory of their son who was sadly born sleeping in July 2016. Their event, which is now in its fifth year, welcomes friends, family and supporters to join an evening of food, fun and fundraising.

The donations we receive from Alfie’s Ball have enabled NICU to enhance the facilities provided to other families. Projects such as the complete refurbishment of the parents’ kitchen in the unit have been funded by Emma and Danny’s hard work, making life that bit more comfortable and easier when parents need it the most.

Kayley Donovan, Community Fundraising Manager for Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity said: “We cannot thank Emma and Danny enough for their ongoing support of the Neonatal Unit. We have so much gratitude and admiration for effort they go to each year in organising, hosting, and gathering supporters to their event. The difference they continue to make to other families is outstanding.”

Proceeds from this year’s ball have funded an artwork project which will see the walls to the entrance and wards wrapped with a woodland themed design, a full-recliner parent chair and a Cricut machine which will help parents mark their baby’s milestone moments with personalised items.  The remaining £3,000 from this year’s event will be added to funds raised from Alfie’s Ball 2024 to purchase a portable incubator for poorly babies needing to be transferred from labour ward to NICU.