An appeal by nurses to raise money for a baby unit has reached its £250,000 target.
The Little Lives Appeal has been running for four years and has led to fundraising events all over Milton Keynes.
The money will pay for vital medical equipment and cots at the Milton Keynes Hospital neonatal unit for sick and premature babies.
Events over the years have included sponsored buggy pushes, pensioner coffee mornings and more.
The neonatal unit currently cares for 350 babies a year, but nurses say they need more space and equipment, which the hospital budget could not afford to pay for.
The appeal was headed by neonatal unit manager Glenda Deacon, who said all the nurses have worked tirelessly for the appeal, turning up to support Little Lives events almost every week when they were not on duty. She said more babies would now be treated at the unit.
She added: “We are thrilled, and we are so grateful to many, many people, past parents, past babies, who are all grown up now, as well as individuals and companies in and around Milton Keynes.”
Some of the appeal money has already been spent improving the cot area and main neonatal reception. There are also better facilities for parents, including an area for them to stay in while their children are in the unit.
Three more high dependency cots and related equipment will also be provided.
Hospital fundraising manger Vanessa Holmes said: “Reaching the target is a huge achievement and one everybody should be proud of. ”
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