A COUPLE who want to give something back to the hospital unit which cared for their baby are holding a coffee morning tomorrow. 

Hereford’s independent coffee chain, The Coffee Cart Co., is hosting a coffee morning at the Old Market between 10am to 12pm.

Business owners James Gardner and Sarah Bennett wanted to give something back to the nurses, doctors and staff at the Special Care Baby Unit at Hereford County Hospital.

James said: "Before the birth of my first child I was completely naïve to the fact that the childbirth would be anything else than a predictable matter of course for me, mother and the unborn.

"After some 36 hours in the Hereford labour ward, I began to realise that receiving the gift of a baby at the end wasn’t a given certainty.

"After birth, Tommy didn’t make a noise for around two minutes - at the time feeling like an eternity that I’ll never forget. If it wasn’t for the sheer calmness, confidence, and ability of the team at SCBU at that moment and the days that followed I would not, I believe, be the proud father I am today, as we get ready to celebrate Tommy’s first Christmas."

The unit is raising money for a new incubation unit and all funds raised will go to this. 

The Coffee Morning is child friendly. Between 10.30am to 11.30am, all drinks will be sold on a donation basis, and the entire profits from the rest of the morning will be donated to the SCBU.

During the event the venue will also serve as a drop-off point for much needed items at the SCBU, including sealed packs of newborn-sized nappies, new and second-hand newborn clothing, and treats for new Mothers on the Ward.

On Friday, James and Sarah will be presenting the funds raised and donated items to the unit.