Children’s Services Appeal
Helping create comfort, dignity and hope for every child at MKUH
Children’s Services Appeal
Every year, more than 35,000 babies, children and young people are cared for by our dedicated paediatric teams at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
Our Children’s Services include the Neonatal Unit, Children’s Wards, Diabetes Service, Safeguarding Team and Play Team. These teams support children with acute and emergency conditions, as well as those with complex needs including physical disabilities, visual impairments, and the effects of trauma.
Each child we care for is treated as an individual – with unique physical, emotional and developmental needs. We also recognise the vital role families play and work to ensure parents and carers feel supported, informed and confident when returning home.
While our clinical teams provide outstanding medical care, there are still important gaps – practical improvements that fall outside NHS funding but make a life-changing difference to children and families.
This appeal aims to bridge that gap.
Take a virtual tour of Milton Keynes University Hospital’s Neonatal Unit
Building on a powerful legacy
Our community has done this before.
In 2013, Leo’s Appeal brought people together to raise £200,000 to transform children’s services at MKUH. That support helped to:
- Refurbish wards and create child-friendly spaces
- Provide reclining chairs so parents could stay overnight
- Fund specialist toys for children with additional needs
- Purchase vital equipment not covered by NHS budgets
The impact is still felt today.
More recently, in 2022, community support funded three BabyLeo incubators – state-of-the-art neonatal equipment described as the “Rolls Royce” of neonatal care. These are now helping our smallest patients with advanced technology while supporting bonding between parents and babies.
Today, we are asking our community to come together again.
Why this appeal matters
For many families, a hospital stay can be overwhelming and distressing. Through this appeal, we want to:
- Reduce fear and anxiety for children
- Improve comfort for families staying by their child’s side
- Support staff to provide care with compassion and dignity
- Create welcoming, child-friendly environments across our wards
Every item within this appeal has been directly identified by our clinical teams as a real and immediate need.
Our 2026 Children’s Services Wish List
Below are the key projects and items we are fundraising for. Each one will directly improve the experience of care for children and families at MKUH.
Neonatal Unit (NNU)
Privacy Screens (x2) – £4,000
Providing dignity for families at the cot-side, supporting breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact in a more private environment.
MEWS Rooms Redecoration (3 rooms) – £9,000
Supporting families as they transition home with their baby by improving these vital spaces with new décor and furnishings.
Children’s Wards (Wards 4 & 5)
Parents’ Rest Area Refurbishment – £8,000
Creating a calm, comfortable space where parents can take a break, prepare food or have a moment to recharge.
Bedside Entertainment Packs – £750
Amazon Fire tablets, mounts and headphones to provide distraction and comfort for children during their stay.
Play & Creativity
Ward Play Area Revamp – £8,000
Transforming the ward play space with new furniture, resources and activities to support emotional wellbeing and recovery.
Outdoor Play Area Weather Cover & Benches – £20,500
Enabling year-round access to outdoor space, giving children room to play, relax and enjoy fresh air.
Outdoor Mural (Oak Ward) – £3,600
Adding colour and positivity to ward views, helping brighten a child’s hospital experience.
Diabetes Service
Portable Projector for Community Education – £260
Supporting outreach sessions in community venues to educate children and families about managing diabetes.
Support Groups Programme – £1,100
Helping fund peer support groups for key transition stages, including young children and teenagers moving into adult care.
Equipment to Ease Procedures
Accuvein Vein Finders (x5) – £3,200 each
These handheld devices help staff locate veins quickly and accurately, reducing:
-Pain
-Multiple attempts
-Anxiety for children and families
This simple innovation can make a huge difference to a child’s experience of care.
How you can help:
Every donation – large or small – helps us create a more supportive, compassionate environment for children and families when they need it most.
With your support, we can:
-Ease discomfort for children during their stay
-Reduce anxiety for both patients and families
-Support parents through difficult moments at the bedside
-Improve recovery experiences for thousands of children each year
Together, we can make hospital a kinder place for every child.
