A group of midwives are raising funds to help make giving birth at Medway hospital a little easier.

Staff at the hospital in Gillingham have organised a fun day, being held at Lordswood Sports and Social Club today, to help pay for the cost of an air conditioning unit for the delivery suite.

Jenny Woolley, who is helping to organise it, said: “An air conditioning unit will help make the experience for the staff and women a more comfortable one, especially in the heat.

“With temperatures reaching more than 30 degrees throughout the day and night on delivery suite during the summer months, an air conditioning unit for staff and mothers would be gratefully received.

“We are working very hard to make this fun day a success and have some brilliant attractions lined up for the day including a bouncy castle, fun fair, petaholics and football darts. We will have local businesses selling their products and of course stalls, held by us midwives, to help raise as much money as possible for such a good cause.”

The maternity unit has been rated outstanding by the health watchdog Care Quality Commission.

Claire Smith, another midwife from the hospital, said: “We would like this day to also be about celebrating our achievement in our latest outstanding CQC inspection which is a huge improvement from our previous report.

“This could not have been achieved without the huge support from the staff and our local community so just wanted this day to be about saying thank you, as well as a fundraising event for delivery suite.”

The fun day is from 11am to 4pm at the social club in North Dane Way, Chatham. Entry fee is £1 per adult with children free.