Bluewater rallies behind ‘Little Breaths’ to bring life-saving support to Croydon University Hospital
A little boy who received life-saving support at Croydon University Hospital has inspired Bluewater, the London-based specialist private equity firm to rally behind a fundraising appeal for additional medical equipment to help save more lives.
Mason Mole (6) was hospitalised after falling critically ill in 2019 with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which caused his lungs to collapse.
Mason and his family launched Croydon Health Charity’s ‘Little Breaths’ appeal in July 2023 which has raised over £27,000 to fund two additional children’s ventilators for Croydon University Hospital.
The medical equipment is urgently needed in response to flu, RSV, COVID-19 and high air pollution, which has resulted in an increasing number of hospital admissions from unwell children, illnesses that commonly occur during the colder months of the year.
Mason’s story inspired Bluewater to pledge £10,000 in match funding to help Little Breaths achieve its £46,000 target and enable the charity to purchase additional ventilators.
Frazer Blyth, Director of Investor Relations & Marketing, said:
“Philanthropy & community are an integral part of the culture at Bluewater and we aim to support charitable organisations and appeals that have a personal connection with members of our team. We are delighted to be supporting Croydon Health Charity’s ‘Little Breaths’ appeal to help purchase new life-saving ventilators. We hope that our support will help to inspire the community to donate and support critically ill children in Croydon.”
Mason and his family officially unveiled the first ventilator today, bought by ‘Little Breaths’ supporters after the first fundraising appeal in the summer.
Sarah Mclaggan, Head of Nursing for Children’s Service said
“We’re grateful to Little Breaths supporters who have donated towards our new ventilator. This additional medical device will provide life-saving support to the critically ill children receiving care in the Paediatric Emergency Department.
“We hope that Bluewater’s generous match funding will help to buy the second ventilator for the Rainbow Children’s Unit, which will be vital as we enter the winter months.”
NHS figures reveal that hospital asthma admissions for children increased by 149% in England1 and Wales2 between 2021 and 2022. A total of 19,506 children were admitted with asthma symptoms compared to 7,850 between 2020 and 2021.
Croydon borough has far higher hospital admission rates for asthma in London. This Research by the charity Asthma UK showed that residents of Croydon were more likely than those anywhere else in the capital to require emergency admission to hospital during an attack.
