WaterWipes® Pure Foundation Fund
Every day, maternity professionals, neonatal staff, midwives, community nurses and health visitors achieve incredible things when caring for expectant parents, new parents and babies. In 2020, WaterWipes launched the first-ever Pure Foundation Fund, and found healthcare professionals, midwives and nurses from across the world – who in the words of their patients and colleagues – were ‘beyond incredible’.
A panel of WaterWipes representatives and representatives from our partners review the nominations and select the winners, each of whom will win a monetary prize fund and a Pure Foundation Fund plaque.
Pure Foundation Fund 2024 is launching soon.
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Mary Meade, a Midwife from Sligo, was nominated by Mary Keating, who whilst pregnant with her second baby last year was diagnosed with placenta previa which resulted in a hospital stay for four weeks prior to delivery.
Maria Flannery O’Boyle, a Public Health Nurse from Ballina, was nominated by an amazing total of twenty-two people. One nominator, mother of two Laura Murphy, praised Maria for her wealth of knowledge and amazing support for mothers on their breastfeeding journeys. She commented on Maria’s practical advice and going above and beyond in her role, running a breastfeeding / mother and baby group in Ballina once a week, making time for every parent who needs her.
June Adams, a Neonatal Professional from Rotherham was nominated by Gemma Woolley, a mother of two who spent three months in June’s care following the birth of her second child at 26 weeks. Gemma shared that June was their “biggest support and champion”, encouraging her to look after herself, providing excellent support for her husband, and helping her son to bond with his little sister during a very difficult time.
Julia Cooper, a Neonatal Lead Care Coordinator from Ipswich, was nominated following a dedicated career of over 30 years in neonatal nursing. She was nominated by a colleague, Julia Petty, who praised Julia for demonstrating “excellent collaborative leadership of her team/ODN colleagues in relation to implementing various initiatives” that have made a real difference to the support of parents. Julia Petty further commended Julia for going above and beyond in her role, and remarks that this is a key contributing factor to enhancing the experience of the parents she looks after.
Veronica Steele, a Health Visitor at Northamptonshire NHS Foundation Trust based in Rothwell Medical Centre, has won the Health Visitor Award for Excellence. She was nominated for her incredible support to Laura Moore after a traumatic and life-threatening birth.
Tori Payne, a Senior Nurse at Neonatal Ward, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, has been awarded the Neonatal Award for Excellence. She was nominated by Lindsey Troy (new mum) for her fantastic work as lead of the vCreate platform that enables units to send parents photos of their little ones.
Mairead has cared for thousands of women and families over her lengthy career. Having worked as a midwife for 32 years, Mairead’s colleague Rachel Gallagher nominated Mairead for her outstanding care given to women and families across Drogheda.
Having worked for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust for over 10 years, Elizabeth Leeming was nominated by her colleague Rachael Fazakerley for being a ‘dedicated midwife, colleague, and friend who goes above and beyond for everyone she meets’. Elizabeth has dedicated her time to helping pregnant asylum seekers, who are coming into the city and staying in temporary accommodation.
Anne Buckley, a Nurse at Cork University Maternity Hospital, was nominated by Elaine Bourke (a new mum) for her encouraging, kind, and compassionate nature on the neonatal ward. As a result, Anne has been awarded the Neonatal Award for Excellence.
Pauline O'Connor, a Public Health Nurse, was nominated by Laura McHugh for going above and beyond in her role by offering parents support and reassurance regarding baby sleep issues. Pauline has been awarded the Public Health Nurse Award for Excellence.
