Pram push boosts breastfeeding and breast care

A “pink pram posse” of mums from across Greater Manchester have helped raise £600 to back special breastfeeding support sessions and a breast care charity.

The fundraising pram push involved mums who attend the ‘Baby Bistro’ breastfeeding support groups in Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton, Oldham, Bury, Prestwich and North Manchester.

They held the sponsored event at Manchester’s Heaton Park, donning pink clothing and decorating their prams pink for the push.

The mums raised a total of £600, with £300 being used to support ante-natal breastfeeding awareness sessions across the area and £300 being donated to the Blossom Appeal, a charity with supports the breast care unit at North Manchester General Hospital.

Their fundraising drive was co-ordinated by Val Finigan, infant feeding co-ordinator for Pennine Acute Trust, which runs Rochdale Infirmary, Fairfield General in Bury, The Royal Oldham Hospital and North Manchester General.

Val, who donned a Pink Panther costume for the event, said: “Pennine Acute Trust offers support to the network of breastfeeding groups across the area which make up Baby Bistro, and I thought it would be a natural step to invite mums and their families to get involved in aid of getting some extra cash for two very good causes.

“The day itself was fantastic. More than 120 people took part in the pram push including mums, grandmas, babies – and even some dads were there!

“The walk took about an hour and a half to complete as the children wanted to stop at the café near the lake to watch the ducklings, while the adults wanted a well deserved cup of tea!

“We made quite an impact with all the pink that was on display. We didn’t just raise the funds, we also raised awareness of the issues – and that’s just as important.”