Fawley (July 21, 2006) -- The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (P.I.C.U), based at Southampton General Hospital, has recently received a £5,000 donation from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley. The 14 bedded unit is the lead centre for Paediatric Intensive Care in the South West region of England, treating over 700 children per year.

The money was split in half, with £2,500 funding the purchase of a special chair. This will make a huge impact on ventilated children, as it allows them to receive care away from the confines and boredom of being bed bound. The remainder went towards a special baby pod used to transport intensive care babies around the country.

Carol Bega and Anna Holden-Booth from ExxonMobil Fawley went to visit the unit and see what had been purchased. Carol, who heads up the Medicine and Occupational Health department at the refinery said: “It is reassuring to know that the purchase of this equipment enables the children's unit to have immediate access to a specialised children's chair so they no longer have to share equipment with the adult unit. I’m glad that we could also contribute towards the specialised pod as this ensures that the transport of extremely vulnerable babies is safer at a vital time that is stressful for everyone.”

Kim Harris, Community Fundraiser for Children’s Services who liaised with ExxonMobil regarding the funding, welcomed Carol and Anna to the unit. She said: “P.I.C.U, which is one of the best children’s intensive care units of its kind in the UK, thanks ExxonMobil for their generous support.”