Dedicated staff who help save the lives of hundreds of premature and sick newborn babies every year have made a plea for help.

The Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Unit at Medway Maritime Hospital wants to redecorate its staff room but it doesn’t have the cash.

The tired-looking staff area, used by the team of 22 doctors and 80 nurses, hasn’t been updated for 14 years and is in desperate need of a make-over. The kitchen needs to be replaced and the room needs new flooring.

Lindsey Wileman, spokesman for the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust, said: “The number of babies we look after on the unit is growing year on year and as a result our doctors and nurses are working harder than ever before.

“Due to the intensive nature of the work they do they do deserve to have a relaxing, attractive and functional space in which to eat and relax in during their short breaks.

“Budgetary constraints have meant the staff room has not been updated since we moved into the current site in 1999 and we would all be incredibly grateful for any help the local tradespeople and businesses of Medway could offer.”

The Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Unit, the Medway Messenger’s charity of the year, looks after about 900 babies annually.

The team provides 9,000 days of care every year, helping to save the lives of babies from all over Medway, north and west Kent, and as far as London and Essex.

• If you or your business can offer money, materials or time to help with the staff room makeover, call Lindsey on 01634 825122, write to Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust, Medway Maritime Hospital, Windmill Road, Gillingham ME7 5NY, or email info@oliverfisher.org