A Barrow woman has braved a head shave to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Furness General Hospital in Barrow.
Julie McKenna, a Clinical Leader in the unit at the hospital for University Hospitals of Morecambe By NHS Foundation Trust, decided to stage the head shave fundraising event to mark her retirement.
The event took place at one of the unit’s monthly ‘Tea and Tots’ sessions in which families that have been cared for by the team are invited to come back, have a play, catch up and a well-earned cup of tea.
Julie started working in the NHS in 1987 as a paediatric nurse and has worked in the unit at Furness General Hospital since 1997.
Talking on her retirement, Julie said she is now ready to take her pension, enjoy a few holidays and have some well-deserved time off to enjoy lake swimming and relaxing in all the spas she can book into.
She is planning on returning after her holidays to continue her amazing care as a highly experienced Neonatal Nurse.
Julie wishes to raise money as part of her retirement plan to enable the the unit to purchase a vital piece of equipment. She has raised nearly £1,500 so far and is aiming to raise even more.
Samantha Griffiths, neonatal coordinator at the unit said: “Julie is a fabulous colleague and seeing her have her head shaved for charity was amazing. She is such a star and deserves to be recognised for the wonderful care she has provided since the 1980s.
“She is a shining example of a truly great nurse and colleague. Thank you so much Julie!”
Suzanne Lofthouse, head of charity and fundraising, Bay Hospitals Charity, said: “On behalf of Bay Hospitals Charity, I’d like to say a massive thank you to Julie for her fabulous fundraising efforts.
“The funds she has raised will help to significantly enhance the care of babies at our hospital in Barrow and we are extremely grateful for this.”
Anyone who would like to contribute to Julie’s fundraising activities can do so via her Just Giving page at: Julie McKenna’s Retirement Head Shave | Bay Hospitals Charity
