A Calne mum is raising money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Great Western Hospital after her son was born prematurely and spent the first four weeks of his life receiving care there.
Kirsten Oliver’s son Elliot was born at Great Western Hospital at just 32 weeks in October 2025. From the moment he arrived he needed significant medical intervention and support, spending his first four weeks in the Special Care Baby Unit.
Kirsten says the SCBU team cared for the whole family during what were the most frightening weeks of their lives. “Without the incredible staff on that ward, Elliot would not be with us today.”
She is now raising money to give something back to the unit, with a raffle featuring prizes donated by businesses including LPB Fitness, The Peppermill Hotel, Tesco, Bowood Spa, DigiGuys, Allington Farm Shop, The Rowdy Cow, Serenity Ceramics and Upper Crust.
Among the prizes are a 12-month gym membership from LPB Fitness worth £360, a bed and breakfast stay at The Peppermill Hotel worth £150, an evening escape spa experience at Bowood Spa, a £100 DigiGuys voucher and a large Tesco hamper worth £80.
There are also three hampers from Allington Farm Shop, ice cream for four from The Rowdy Cow and £10 vouchers from Serenity Ceramics and Upper Crust.
Kirsten also took on the Cardiff Half Marathon yesterday (4th October) as part of her fundraising.
She said:“Today was not about a time or the race, it meant so much more than that.
“This time last year I was rushed in to hospital at 28 weeks pregnant not knowing if Elliot was okay, what then followed was the scariest time of our lives.
“While in hospital I entered the ballot for Cardiff and got in. Now a year later I have not only run it, I have raised over £1,200 for the ward that saved Elliot and supported us through a very difficult time.”
Kirsten will also be taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April 2027.
Her fundraising has now passed £1,200, but she is continuing to raise money for the SCBU.
The raffle is a chance for local people to support her fundraising while also having the chance to win one of the prizes donated by local businesses.
The raffle is open to over-18s and closes at 11.59pm on 1st November, with the draw taking place on 2nd November.
If you’d like to support Kirsten, you can buy raffle tickets here:
Kirsten’s Raffle For The SCBU At GWH
Donations can also be made directly to Kirsten’s fundraising page:
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