Wunder Crumble and MyLahore community rallies to raise £20,000 for critically ill newborns
£20,000 has been raised to support families of babies being cared for at Bradford Royal Infirmary, as Bradford Hospitals Charity Ambassador Ishfaq Farooq leads a powerful call to action.
Ishfaq raised the money in just one night with support from friends, family and colleagues across MyLahore and Wunder Crumble, helping to fund a new ‘Home from Home’ for parents with babies born early or unwell that are being cared for in Bradford’s neonatal intensive care unit.
He was inspired by his own family’s experience more than two decades ago, when his nephew was born critically ill. With no specialist cot available in Bradford at the time, the newborn was transferred across Yorkshire to find an available bed.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust runs one of four level three neonatal units in Yorkshire, but families still face the same challenges: long journeys, disrupted routines, and limited accommodation for parents to stay overnight.
One moment that stayed with Ishfaq was seeing his sister‑in‑law go hungry because she refused to leave her baby’s bedside. “Not because she couldn’t afford food, but because when your child is fighting to breathe, your own hunger doesn’t matter,” he explained.
This week, the family – supported by Ishfaq in his ambassador role – turned that experience into action, raising funds to improve care and comfort for neonatal families. Their efforts focus on contributing to the £3 million ‘Home from Home’ build, expanding capacity to 10 bedrooms so every parent with a baby in an intensive care cot has a place to stay. The plans also include a large kitchen-diner, living room, garden and play area for all families with babies being cared for on the 31‑cot neonatal unit.
Ishfaq Farooq, Bradford Hospitals Charity Ambassador and Director of MyLahore and Wunder Crumble, said: “Watching my family member travel from city to city with a critically ill newborn – with nowhere to rest, no decent food, and having to leave her baby every night – is something I will never forget.
“This is personal to us. We want to make sure no parent has to choose between being close to their child and meeting their own basic needs, like cooking a meal – especially here in Bradford. The response from my family, friends and colleagues has been overwhelming.
“Through Wunder Crumble and MyLahore, we try to use business as a vehicle for doing good bringing people together to support causes that make a real difference to our city. We want to build on this momentum and do even more, reaching out to businesses, restaurants and individuals who want to be part of something meaningful. Anyone interested in supporting the charity or helping raise awareness is welcome to get in touch.”
Bradford Hospitals Charity goes beyond what the NHS can fund, bringing the human side of care to life and helping patients and families through every step of their hospital journey.
Laura Riach, Director of Bradford Hospitals Charity, said: “Hearing Ishfaq’s family story was incredibly moving and we’re so proud of everything he is doing. The funds raised on the night show the power of community and lived experience; their contribution will make a real and lasting difference for generations of families.”
To date, nearly £1.8 million has been raised for the ‘Home from Home’, including a landmark £1 million gift from The Harry and Mary Foundation and fundraising from families, NHS staff, community groups and local businesses.
The £20,000 raised by Ishfaq and his supporters will help build the kitchen and dining area inside the facility, ensuring families can cook and eat a meal just steps away from their baby.
Find out more about the appeal at BradfordHospitalsCharity.org. To support Ishfaq’s £30,000 fundraising goal, visit www.justgiving.com/page/ishfaq-farooq-family-3?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL.