Central Medical Supplies continues support For Ickle Pickles Children’s Charity

Central Medical Supplies (CMS), a provider of neonatal and patient warming solutions to UK healthcare providers, is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of its partnership with neonatal charity Ickle Pickles and is pleased to announce it will continue the relationship for a further twelve months.

Over the past year, the partnership has so far raised more than £5,500 through a dedicated sales contribution programme linked to Kanmed BabyBeds and Warmers. The funds raised will directly support Ickle Pickles’ mission to give every newborn a chance by funding vital neonatal equipment and providing family support.

The partnership reflects CMS’ commitment to corporate social responsibility and its passion for improving neonatal care. Ickle Pickles is the only charity that raises funds to donate intensive care equipment to neonatal units across England and Wales.

This year, the donations from CMS will go towards providing peer support, including the recruitment of two peer support officers working in the neonatal units of Lewisham and Portsmouth hospitals. Through its peer support, Ickle Pickles is currently helping neonatal families at eight neonatal units in the South of England. Commenting on its peer support programme, Rachael Marsh, Co-founder and Trustee of Ickle Pickles, says: “Peer support is all about forging connections among those who share similar experiences, allowing them to exchange insights, offer emotional support and share practical advice. In the world of neonatal care, trauma-informed peer support is vital, acknowledging the emotional challenges that parents face during NICU stays. It provides a safe haven where parents can voice their fears and hopes without any judgment.”

Rachael Marsh continues: “The emotional strain that comes with having a baby in neonatal care is unique and profound. Parents often face an emotional rollercoaster, battling feelings of helplessness, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and isolation. Unlike the typical new-parent experience filled with joy and celebration, these parents find themselves in a whirlwind of hospital visits, medical jargon, and a constantly shifting prognosis. Parents might feel disconnected from their baby, as physical touch is often limited. This emotional toll can also strain relationships, leading to feelings of isolation from family and friends who may not fully understand the experience of NICU life. This is where peer support comes in as a vital support service, offering understanding, hope and a connection that truly resonates.”

Through its partnership with Ickle Pickles, CMS is continuing to help neonatal units provide the best possible support for babies in their care. As a specialist supplier of developmental care and neonatal products, CMS has been helping midwives and neonatal nurses care for infants by supplying hospitals with an innovative range of medical devices, along with baby and maternity products. CMS sales of selected Kanmed neonatal products, of which it is the exclusive UK supplier, are currently supporting the Ickle Pickles charity.

Sarah Ward, Brand and Product Manager at Central Medical Supplies, says: “For over 35 years, we have been helping midwives and neonatal nurses support infants in their care, by providing the vital equipment they need. Having worked with Kanmed for more than 30 years, CMS knows how the company’s unique products have benefitted babies, parents and neonatal unit staff alike, which is why we chose Kanmed products for our Ickle Pickles partnership.”

To find out more about the Ickle Pickles Children’s Charity, contact press@icklepickles.org or visit www.icklepickles.org

Image: Tamsyn Roberts with her daughter, Arabella, on the neonatal unit, along with Ickle Pickles’ Julie Voong providing peer support. Her story can be found on the Ickle Pickles website: https://www.icklepickles.org/story/arabellas-story

Photo credit: Ickle Pickles

Staff Writer