Students and staff at Stockport School have raised in excess of £700 to help fund a modern incubator for the Neonatal Unit at Stepping Hill Hospital.
Community effort led by school house
Orange House at the independent school organised sales and tombolas, with pupils and teachers working together to collect donations. The house also took the school house prize for its fundraising efforts.
Adding a notable boost to the campaign, a member of staff, Mrs Nina Andrew, ran the Manchester Half Marathon and contributed the proceeds to the appeal.
Money to buy life‑saving equipment
All funds raised will go directly towards a new incubator for the neonatal unit run by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust at Stepping Hill Hospital. The trust says the equipment will provide warmth, comfort and specialist care for premature and other vulnerable newborn babies.
“We are so grateful to the incredible students, staff and families of Orange House for their kindness, caring, energy and dedication. Their fundraising will make a real and lasting difference to the tiniest patients cared for in our Neonatal Unit, helping us provide the very best support when families need it most. On behalf of Stockport NHS Charity, thank you for turning your caring and compassion into something truly life changing.”
The comment came from Kate Leadbeater, manager of Stockport NHS Charity, who thanked the school community for their commitment and generosity.
What this means locally
Stepping Hill is the main acute hospital serving Stockport and large parts of the borough rely on its maternity and neonatal services. New incubators are central to the day‑to‑day care of premature infants, offering regulated warmth and support while specialists provide clinical treatment.
For the school, the project combined charity work with pupil engagement. Fundraising activities such as sales and tombolas give young people practical experience of community action while raising money for a clearly defined local need.
- Amount raised: more than £700
- Organisers: Orange House, Stockport School (students and staff)
- Additional effort: Mrs Nina Andrew ran the Manchester Half Marathon to add to funds
- Beneficiary: Neonatal Unit, Stepping Hill Hospital (Stockport NHS Foundation Trust)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fundraising total | > £700 |
| Lead organisers | Orange House, Stockport School |
| Purpose | Purchase of an incubator for the Neonatal Unit |
The result is a clear, tangible outcome: equipment that will be used in the care of local babies. Stockport NHS Charity will manage the donation and work with the trust to ensure funds are applied as intended.
Local health services often rely on community fundraising to provide the latest equipment alongside what is funded centrally. Small charities and school initiatives like this one can make a meaningful difference to patient care at key moments, particularly in neonatal services where specialised kit is costly but essential.
For the pupils involved, the project has provided a double reward: the satisfaction of supporting a local hospital and the recognition of winning their school house prize. For families who use Stepping Hill’s neonatal services, it means better equipment and reassurance that the community is backing care close to home.
Stockport School and Stockport NHS Charity did not give a timeline for when the incubator would be purchased, but the pledge that all proceeds will go directly to the Neonatal Unit is clear.
This fundraiser is one of a number of community efforts in Stockport aimed at supporting local health services. It demonstrates how schools, staff and families can combine to deliver practical support for the most vulnerable patients in the town.
