A NEW birthing pool at the Chippenham Birthing Centre is another step closer after almost £500 was raised by midwives.

A cake stall in the Emery Gate Shopping Centre meant shoppers were able to grab a bite to eat and donate to a worthy cause, with the birthing pool costing £5,500.

Natasha Earl, a maternity care assistant at the birthing hospital on Rowden Hill, said: “We did have two birthing pools but one was condemned and there’s no funding from the NHS to get another one.

“The birthing pool is really popular, a lot of mums use them for pain relief so to have two again would be a great asset.

“We’d like to have raised the funds by the end of the year so we can get it built next year.”

More than ten midwives and two maternity care assistants were on hand to give out the homemade treats last Thursday (May 4), which was also done in conjunction with International Day of the Midwife which was on Friday (May 5).

“It’s the first time we have ever done a cake stall but it went really well,” added Mrs Earl.

We did get a lot of mums that have had birth with us come and donate because they know how vital it was for them.

The older generation thought we were doing something great for the community and that it is a wonderful idea.

Staff from the birthing centre will also be taking part in an obstacle course in Charlton Park, Malmesbury, on September 30.

To make a donation, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamcbc