Puddle Ducks raise over £2,900 for Ipswich Hospital’s Neonatal Unit as decade-long support surpasses £18,000

Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity is celebrating the incredible fundraising efforts of Puddle Ducks, whose 2025 Pyjama Week campaign raised £2,988.75 for the Neonatal Unit at Ipswich Hospital.

This year’s total brings their cumulative support to more than £18,000 over the past decade, an outstanding contribution that has helped many families, when they've needed it most.

The Puddle Ducks team, families, and young swimmers take part each year by wearing pyjamas to lessons to practise vital water-safety skills. The event is supported by raffles, sponsorship, and the generosity of local businesses.

Natasha, mum to Olive, shared why supporting neonatal services is so close to her family’s heart: “We are supporting the NICU in Norfolk and Norwich and Ipswich due to our daughter’s care. Olive was born at 27 weeks weighing only 1lb 3oz. From 25 weeks I was admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital and received the best care during a very worrying and uncertain time.

“I whole heartedly can not fault any of the care both myself and Olive received. When she was big enough, weighing 800g, we were transferred back to Ipswich hospital to continue her care. We were there for 3 months before being discharged, on oxygen so still under the care of the nurses.

“We owe everything to the amazing teams at the hospitals and will be forever grateful. Olive always has a smile on her face and takes everything in her stride. She is a well and healthy now 18-months-old, that loves her weekly swimming sessions with Puddle Ducks.”

Another Puddle Ducks family, inspired by their own connection to local hospitals, also played a key role. Kelly, mum to fundraiser Mason, said, “Mason chose to support this event because he loves supporting great charities, the money he raised goes towards funding the Neonatal Units both at Ipswich and Colchester, but you never know when you'll need them!

“Mason raised a whopping £505 which was made possible through the support of so many generous individuals through family and friends, and our National Hot Rod Racing teams that sponsored Mason.”

Claire Bailey, Operations Manager at Puddle Ducks, explained why this event remains such an important tradition: “Each year we support charities close to our hearts, it’s a wonderful way to give back.

“We host a Pyjama week where our swimmers come to class wearing PJ’s. During this week, we practice key life-saving skill, the reality is if a child was ever to fall in water, they are likely to be wearing clothes, so we like our children to experience what it feels like in a safe environment.

“Our team at Puddle Ducks organised a huge raffle where local businesses gave very generously. Our swimmers also gained sponsorship for the event and we awarded the highest fundraiser with a £100 voucher for swimming lessons. Everyone loves PJ week!”

Grace Wilson the charities assistant fundraising and events manager said, “We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the Puddle Ducks team, the families who took part, and the local businesses who supported their fundraising efforts. Their ongoing generosity helps our neonatal teams continue providing exceptional care to some of the tiniest and most vulnerable patients.”