Matthew Schrieff was born prematurely at 24 weeks during April this year and died four days later of seizures. His devastated parents, Gerard and Bronwyn, asked friends to send donations in his memory to Mowbray Maternity Hospital and so began a new friendship between ourselves and this very generous couple. Upon hearing that the Peninsula Maternity Trust had a shortfall of R35,000 to purchase a new piece of equipment used to monitor brain activity and seizures in newborns, Gerard asked his friends and family to sponsor him in the 100km Karoo to Coast 100km mountain bike race from Uniondale to Knysna on 23 September.
Gerard completed the race in 4h48 minutes which is incredible for a first try of the gruelling race over the “ouwapad” outside Uniondale, through the Prince Alfred’s pass and the Knysna forest into Knysna. Incredibly, he raised more than R46,000.
The Olympic Brainz AEEG Monitor is used to monitor brain function and seizures in newborns. Thanks are also due to Investec Trust Group who made the first generous donation towards this machine; Gerard’s fundraising effort secured the final shortfall which has now enabled the Peninsula Maternity Trust to confirm the purchase of this machine.
A phototherapy light unit and ultrasound/echocardiogram machine valued at just over R500,000 was purchased by the Green Hands committee of Old Mutual Investment Group South Africa and the South African Muslim Charitable Trust respectively. Both pieces of equipment were officially handed over to the hospital on 3 October.
Another piece of good news is that the planned refurbishment of the Family Counselling Room is going ahead. This is a place where parents of very sick newborns often spend many hours. Discovery Health have responded to the need make this space less sterile and more supportive by initiating a staff volunteer project.
We have received great media support these past two months, raising the profile of our fundraising efforts on behalf of Mowbray Maternity Hospital, with stories and photo’s in Cape Argus, Cape Times and Southern Suburbs Tatler. John Matham of Cape Talk did a radio interview with Gerard Schrieff about his Karoo to Coast ride, and there was much activity through Peninsula Maternity Trust’s new facebook page.
If you know anyone who you think may wish to receive these news updates in future, please ask them to email us on fundraiser@pmt.org.za.
Our website address is www.pmtrust.org.za
