Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Bridget's Run raised $28,000 for comfort kits for RVH

'These funds mean families experiencing loss in our community will continue to receive compassion and support when they need it most,' says organizer
BarrieToday Staff
Bridget's Run 2019 Cheque Presentation FINAL 1 (1)
Bridget's Run raised $28,842 - money that will go to create comfort kids for the neonatal intensive care unit at RVH. From left: Theresa Morrison, founder, Bridget’s Bunnies, Charmaine Smith, RVH manager, Birthing Unit and Obstetrics, Leanne Weeks, operations director, Maternal Child and Surgery Programs, Mathew Morrison, founder, Bridget’s Bunnies. Photo credit: Brianne McKenna, RVH

NEWS RELEASE
ROYAL VICTORIA REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE
*************************
The second annual Bridget’s Run in support of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s (RVH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Obstetrics Bereavement Program and Bridget’s Bunnies, raised an amazing $28,842.

Bridget’s Bunnies is an initiative providing comfort kits to families following the loss of a pregnancy or infant. 

Local couple Mat and Theresa Morrison founded both Bridget’s Bunnies and Bridget’s Run in honour of their daughter Bridget who was born still just one day shy of her due date.

Their kits include comfort items, memory makers and resources of support to provide gentle direction and compassion to parents who are experiencing loss. In June, the couple expanded the program to include early loss kits for patients in RVH’s Emergency Department who have experienced a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation.

Since launching their initiative in September 2018, Bridget’s Bunnies has provided 113 comfort kits to RVH including 65 early loss kits.

“These funds mean families experiencing loss in our community will continue to receive compassion and support when they need it most,” says Mat. “Bridget’s Run is more than a fundraiser, it is families coming together to celebrate and remember their babies. Their participation will help future patients who have to say goodbye to their baby too soon know they are not alone.”

Charmaine Smith, manager, RVH Obstetrics, was honoured to participate in the 5 km run, along with caregivers from RVH on her team and from the community.

“We are extremely grateful for the work that Mat and Theresa do to raise awareness and provide additional support to our patients at RVH,” says Smith. “The funds raised from Bridget’s Run will help support the renovation and expansion of the birthing unit to help create the best environment for moms and babies and families including supportive spaces for families who do experience loss.”

*************************