Lion Foundation generosity helps Waikato mums

Media release

Lion Foundation generosity helps Waikato mums

Waikato Hospital’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has received a much needed boost thanks to a television news story and The Lion Foundation.

A recent grant from the charitable trust has enabled the two breast pumps that were stolen over Christmas to be replaced. 

Cathy McBride, Acting Clinical Nurse Manager says the breast pumps are critical to its facility.

“A story aired on the television news on Christmas Eve saying the pumps had been stolen - The Lion Foundation saw the item, called us and pledged to replace the units.  This was a silver lining to a distressing situation and means mums now have access to breast pumps again.

“We can have up to 45 mothers at any time relying on the use of the pumps to maintain milk supply – in fact we have some mums who have their babies at 24 weeks gestation so they require pumps for 16 weeks to enable them to breast feed when they are discharged home.  This can be an incredibly stressful time so it’s imperative we have services, such as the pumps, available to help make life a little easier.”

Ms McBride adds: “We have implemented additional security measures in our NICU and are grateful to The Lion Foundation for their generosity.”

Operating for over 20 years and one of the country’s most widely respected charitable trusts, The Lion Foundation is proud to assist Waikato Hospital’s NICU and the mothers who utilise its services.

 “It is disappointing the pumps were stolen, however we are pleased The Lion Foundation was able to make a difference and this important service is now available again to the community,” says The Lion Foundation Chief Executive Phil Holden. 

The Lion Foundation funds a wide range of arts, cultural, sporting, educational and health focused causes.  This approach has been in place for many years and is designed to ensure the charitable trust’s support reaches as many New Zealand communities as possible.

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