This Is Guernsey

Jo Priaulx and Sister Lilian Hayes with the £22,000 ventilator bought by the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation for the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. (Picture by Zoe Ash, 0560207)

ISLANDERS’ generosity has provided lifesaving new equipment for the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation has donated a £22,000 Drager Babylog 8000+ ventilator and three hot cots.

All the money has been raised through local fund-raising and donations. ‘When a child needs a piece of equipment like this, they need it right away, it’s life or death,’ said Frossard Ward sister Lilian Hayes. She said the ventilator could be used to help youngsters from premature babies up to 12-year-olds.

‘People think ventilators are only used on little babies but they can benefit children who have a bad case of meningitis, a neurological disorder or been involved in a road-traffic accident,’ she said.

Jo Priaulx said it was amazing to see what the money had bought.

‘It’s very touching to see that the foundation can make such a difference.

‘We have always wanted to use Andy’s high profile to help other people,’ said Mrs Priaulx.

She said they regularly got cheques in the post for the charity.

‘The number of people who hold events or send in money is amazing,’ she said.

The foundation was set up in 2003. Both the Priaulxs’ children, Sebastian and Danniella, were born prematurely.

The Priaulxs are hoping to focus their attention on the charity in the following months, fitting it around Andy’s hectic schedule.

He returns to the island today from Mexico where he has been defending his World Touring Car Championship title in the second meeting of the 2008 season.

Mrs Priaulx’s ultimate aim is to set up a support group for the parents of premature babies.

‘Nobody realises that the fathers need help too.

‘They go through just as much as the mothers,’ she said, adding it was important people felt they could speak to others who had been through a similar experience.