Midwives conquer Lipstick Challenge

A GROUP of midwives from Antrim Area Hospital, including two from Newtownabbey, were crowned champions of a recent adventure challenge held to raise funds for the charity, TinyLife.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th May 2013, 08:00 BST
The successful Call the Midwives team: Back row - Louisa Lapworth, Jackie ONeill, Michelle Paul and Joanne Kirk. Seated - Helen Stevenson and Susan Andrew-Bruce. INNT 19-500CONThe successful Call the Midwives team: Back row - Louisa Lapworth, Jackie ONeill, Michelle Paul and Joanne Kirk. Seated - Helen Stevenson and Susan Andrew-Bruce. INNT 19-500CON
The successful Call the Midwives team: Back row - Louisa Lapworth, Jackie ONeill, Michelle Paul and Joanne Kirk. Seated - Helen Stevenson and Susan Andrew-Bruce. INNT 19-500CON

The one-day event, ‘Operation Lipstick’, was held on Saturday, April 20 at Castlewellan Forest Park and involved orienteering, archery, raft building and racing. The ‘Call the Midwives’ team consisted of staff midwives Louisa Lapworth from Newtownabbey, Helen Stevenson from Broughshane, Joanne Kirk from Dundonald and midwifery sisters Susan Andrew-Bruce from Bellaghy, Jackie O’Neill from Larne and Michelle Paul from Glengormley. 

Of the 15 teams, ‘Call the Midwives’ came first, scoring the most points following the challenges. More importantly, the team also raised £2,542 for TinyLife, Northern Ireland’s Premature Baby Charity. In total the event raised £17,000.

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Every day in Northern Ireland seven babies are born prematurely with some arriving as early as 24 weeks and weighing as little as 1lb. TinyLife offers practical and emotional support to parents through breast pump loan programmes, family support, education and research programmes.

Explaining why the team took part in the fundraiser, midwife Helen Stevenson said: “When premature birth occurs, midwives are on the forefront working closely with the neonatal staff and supporting the parents during what can be an extremely emotional and stressful time for them. TinyLife are close to all our hearts for the support they offer to everyone involved.”

Related topics:TinyLifeMidwivesNewtownabbey