Wirral mothers' milk bank celebrates 400th donor

Jan 27 2010 by James Hague, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL Mother's Milk Bank is celebrating its 400th donor.

Since opening in 2004, more than 2,000 litres of human milk from 400 mothers on the Wirral and other regions has been donated.

In recognition, 400th donor Nyree Fairbairn from Meols was presented with a voucher and teddy bear.

She heard about the bank following the birth of her first child, and is supporting the organisation after the arrival of her second.

She said: “As a breastfeeding mum I knew just how important human milk could be, not just for healthy baby but in protecting babies who still have an immature immune system.

“I'm so glad I could play a part in supporting other mums who are unable to breastfeed.”

Donating mothers collect and freeze breast milk in their own homes, then arrange for the milk to be collected once a fortnight by Milk Bank staff.

Based in Clatterbridge Hospital, they have facilities to pasteurise, store and test breast milk.

As one of only two milk banks in the North West, the Wirral branch ships milk across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Each year 300 babies are born at Arrowe Park Hospital unable to take breast milk from their mothers because of illness or premature birth.

Current stocks of milk aren't critically low, but the bank is always looking for donors.

Wirral Mother's Milk Bank is part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals.

Interested parties should contact 0151 334 4000 or visit www.ukamb.org.