Winn Group is delighted to support a Newcastle-based project that provides vital essentials for prematurely born children.

Conducted through the Tiny Lives charity, their Cuski Miniboos programme will receive £5,000 as part of our flourishing and expanding CSR programme.

Able to soothe premature babies and encourage bonding with parents who may not be able to hold them due to circumstances, these packages are essential on the RVI’s Neonatal Unit.

What is a Miniboo

Miniboos are small cloth comforters that act as a soothing tool for babies. By offering early emotional intervention through a proven and low-cost method, this project supports long-term family wellbeing and gives neonatal babies the best possible chance to thrive.

As circumstances may dictate the need for an incubator and families being unable to cuddle, the comforter can make a huge difference to babies as they begin their journey in life.

As one parent described the Miniboo: “My daughter was born with CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia), but she loved to wear the Miniboo as a hat – six years on and we both still have them.

“The small but mighty thing that got us through the toughest of times; forever grateful for the Miniboo.”

How we’re helping

The £5,000 donation will help with the provision of 300 Miniboos to support families on the neonatal unit over the course of a year.

What they said

Emily Corney, Tiny Lives Corporate Partnerships and Trusts Fundraiser, said: “Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your exceptionally generous grant of £5,000 to the Tiny Lives Trust towards our Miniboos. 

“It will aid vulnerable infants and their families at the RVI’s Neonatal Unit in Newcastle upon Tyne, making a meaningful difference to their care and experience.

“It’s only through the care of our kind supporters that we’re able to continue our vital work supporting premature and sick newborn babies and their families.

“It’s thanks to kind supporters like you that Tiny Lives can continue to provide invaluable practical, emotional, and financial support to families in those early critical days, weeks, and months.

“Thank you again for your support of The Tiny Lives Trust. It makes you part of our Tiny Lives family for life.”

Ross Jackson, Deputy CSR Lead, said: “Tiny Lives benefited from applying to us for funding as part of our CSR programme.

“We welcome applications from charities that match our criteria as we seek to make a positive imprint on our local community, helping the next generation wherever we can.

“Tiny Lives has previously been our chosen charity of the year, so we know the phenomenal work they do on the ward.

“By assisting with Miniboos, this makes a tangible difference to the families on the ward, providing a bond during an unimaginably difficult time.

“We are pleased to support a local project and continue to look for more programmes we can assist with.”

If you’d like to see what we do through our CSR programme, click here to find out more.