Each and every year, Victor Finance works with good causes in the local area to support their work, with the majority of these connections stemming from a team member’s personal connection. In this case, it was Victor Finance’s Operations Manager, Barry Nicol who wanted to reach out to the NICU and support the vital work it carries out.

“The work that the team does here is incredible, there are no words for the support they offer families and babies,” said Barry. “After experiencing it first-hand 13 years ago when my daughter was born it brought so many memories flooding back.

“When Emily was born prematurely, it was a real eye-opener as to the support that a premature child needs as well as the impact that it can have on so many. After hearing all about the recent, wonderful work that the team at the Hull NICU were doing we were thrilled to be able to pledge our support to the recently launched Space to Grow Appeal,”  explains Barry. 

“The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) had set their sights on raising £100,000 to enhance facilities, with all funds raised enabling them to create a sensory room, family ‘haven’, siblings play area and a specialist learning facility within the Unit.

“On the back of the Space to Grow Appeal, I had said that if there was any way that we could help support through a financial donation or raising awareness through our social channels then we would be happy to help,” continued Barry. “Subsequently, my good friend Francesa Matthews who is also coincidentally Unit Manager at Hull NICU, sent me the details of the World Prematurity Day fundraiser that the team had hosted last year; it seemed an ideal place for Victor Finance to help out.”

With the event in need of a sponsor (£1,000) to help pay for various promotions, activities, and goodies, that could then be used to upsell the day to the community, the Victor Finance team stepped in.  

As a business that has laid down extensive roots across Lincolnshire and the Humber, the entire team is passionate about being able to give back in any way that they can. Over the years, there have been countless team members, business contacts and Victor Finance families that have been touched and supported by the charities the business has chosen to champion. And, while Barry and the team consider their support to be a small part of the bigger picture, promoting the work of local charities is, without doubt, a core pillar of Victor Finance’s ongoing approach to corporate and social responsibility, as well as supporting its immediate community. 

When asked about the Victor Finance team’s involvement, Francesa Matthews, Unit Manager at Hull NICU, said:

“Hull NICU is one of four Level 3 Units in our region. We currently have 26 beds, however, we are fortunate to be undergoing a £1.4million expansion at present which will provide us with facilities to care for an additional five babies. We care for babies from 22 weeks gestation up to post-term, offering the highest level of intensive care right down to transitional care. We are a fully recruited team of 157 nursing and medical staff caring for sick neonates and their families. We encourage parents/carers to work in partnership with us, empowering them to feel confident caring for their new baby. 

“World Prematurity Day is celebrated in so many different ways. In Hull, we dedicate this day to our babies and families by providing them with an opportunity to create special memories and also have a day of treats,” Francesca continued.

“The very generous donation gifted to us from Victor Finance enabled us to provide the most wonderful day on our Neonatal Unit. From beautiful decorations to paying for a photographer to come and capture special moments for the families. We had a musician who sang lullabies to the babies. We purchased special bags full of treats for both babies and families to keep and remember World Prematurity Day 2023 in Hull. We were also able to provide the parents with lovely food as a treat. Some of our families can be on the unit for over 100 days, World Prematurity Day is a day that allows us to treat them and thanks to the support of Victor Finance, both babies, families and staff were all thoroughly spoilt.”

In addition to supporting Hull NICU with World Prematurity Day, the team has also been helping Lindsey Lodge Hospice once again this year by raising funds via the ‘It’s A Knockout’ tournament the fundraising team hosted in the summer as well as making a donation in time for Christmas. Other community support includes numerous investments in local sports clubs, at a grassroots and senior level.