BABIES in the neonatal unit at Royal Hampshire County Hospital will have a more comfortable stay thanks to a donation from a volunteer organisation.

The unit received six colourful incubator covers from Project Linus UK, which provides homemade quilts, blankets and incubator covers for young children who are sick, disabled, disadvantaged or distressed.

Incubator covers are designed to protect babies from bright lights and sounds, encourage sleep and to create a homely atmosphere during their stay.

Sharon Stone, clinical matron for the neonatal unit, said: “The fun colours and adorable patterns have created a comforting and homely atmosphere on the neonatal unit.

“The covers are incredibly valuable as they help to support development care, protecting babies in incubators from light and noise during their stay with us, and the parents love the colours and fun materials.

“We can’t thank Norma and Project Linus UK enough for all of the hard work and effort they put in to create the covers.”

Norma Goodwin, Winchester volunteer coordinator for Project Linus UK, visited the unit to make the donation.

She said: “It was a great joy to be able to create the new incubator covers for the unit. Each cover takes over 11 hours to make, but seeing the reaction when the donation was brought in made it all worthwhile.

“The quilts are made from high quality threads and 100 per cent cotton fabric generously donated by local patchwork and quilters. This is a great opportunity to get volunteers involved and help those younger patients who need a little extra care as they grow.”