Members of the T5 Charity visited the unit at St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, on Tuesday (February 6) to make their donation and see the kind of hi-tech incubator that their gift will help to purchase. They were also able to meet some of the staff, and hear about some of the life-saving work that they are involved with.

Said Consultant Neonatal Pediatrician Dr Peter Reynolds: “This is a fantastic donation to the Early Births Fund from the Heathrow Terminal 5 Charity fundraising project fund, and we thank everyone involved for their generosity. The Neonatal Intensive Care unit at St. Peter's Hospital provides intensive care to premature and sick babies across Surrey and furtherafield, and our reputation is growing fast.

“Over 500 babies were admitted last year, the busiest ever, and our Early Births Fund helps us to purchase the equipment that we always need to ensure that we continue to deliver the highest quality of neonatal intensive care. The £10,000 will be immediately put towards the purchase of a replacement incubator (cost about £13k) and will certainly make a difference to the smallest and sickest babies that we look after in intensive care.”

St. Peter’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit underwent a £1.2M expansion in 2005 and HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex officially opened the extended unit in July that year.

This year’s T5 donation was raised over 12 months through a variety of events.  As well as the annual summer ball the charity raises funds through events such as sports tournaments and variety performance nights. There are also on-site collections held throughout the year with the last one raising £3,000 from generous workers.                                                                                                      

Said Jonathan Adams, Chair of the T5 Charity: "The T5 Charity are delighted to make this donation to St Peter's Neonatal Unit. Many of us on the committee are parents, however even those who do not have children recognise the importance of this unit in saving the lives of newborn babies.

"Fundraising plays an important role on Terminal 5, it's a great way for all the workers, suppliers and staff involved on the project to get together in a social way. This donation has come thanks to their commitment to the many fundraising events and activities which take place throughout the year.

"Our biggest annual event is the T5 summer ball and planning is already underway for the event in June 2007. Last years ball was a 'Bombay Dreams' spectacular so we're having to be particularly creative in order to ensure the glamour rating stays high!"                                                                                        

Terminal 5 is a £4.3bn construction programme located between Heathrow's runways. Set to open on time and on budget in March 2008 – the year the NHS celebrates 60 years of existence - T5 will provide Heathrow with additional passenger capacity and aircraft stands. As well as two terminal buildings the project includes rail extension to the Heathrow Express and London Underground Piccadilly Line, a six platform rail station, a new air traffic control tower and an M25 spur road.     

The Terminal 5 Charity was established as a way of giving something back to the communities affected by construction work. Set up and administered by T5 staff, the charity has raised nearly £300,000 for a wide range of good causes. As well as large donations such as the one given to St Peter's Neonatal Unit, the charity has given support to a range of organisations and groups including: Fordway pupil referral centre; Cranford Good Neighbours, Bedfont Sports Club and the Runnymede Mental Health Organisation. Last year a £10,000 donation was given to London Air Ambulance, an organisation of great importance to T5 Workers.