All Saints Mothers Union Coffee Morning

Hosted by the All Saints Mothers Union, there was plenty on offer including books, bric a brac, homemade cakes, cards, teas and coffees.

Branch Leader Marian Hickie explained that the Union had needed to raise 200.00 from the event in order to enable them to continue making up 'emergency bathroom packs', which they supply to the Conquest Hospital.

The packs, which contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, tissues and a comb, cost 54p each to make up, and are supplied to five wards in the hospital; Kipling - childrens ward; Accident and Emergency; the Assessment ward; Benson and Murrey - medicine for the elderly wards.

This is the seventh year of supplying the emergency packs and to date the Union have donated over two thousand packs to the hospital.

Marian was delighted to report that they had exceeded their target raising a grand total of 287.43.

She said: "It's been a lovely morning and very successful. We have raised enough money to be able to supply the Conquest with a years' supply of the packs".

Marion said that the idea for the emergency packs came about seven years ago after her daughter had to resucitate her 3 year old Son at home in the middle of the night, culminating with her being rushed into the hospital with him. She said: "My daughter rang me the next day from the hospital and said 'Mum can you please bring me in a toothbrush, toothpaste and a pair of knickers.' All of us at the Union thought that supplying the packs would be a really useful thing to do - although we fall short with the knickers as we think that is too much of a tall order!"

The Mothers Union was founded in1876 by Mary Sumner and is a Christian organisation which cares for families, there are approximately four million members worldwide.