Generations of Mums and babies who were born at Bristol’s Southmead hospital have returned to the maternity suite to mark the launch of a £1.5 million fundraising appeal for the unit.

The funds will also help refurbish the delivery suite and create a new family room for mothers, babies and their visitors.

Among the guests attending the launch are the Good Sisters, the world's first quads born by caesarean section at Southmead hospital. The three surviving sisters are returning to the wards over sixty years after their birth, along with grand children who were also born at the hospital.

Head of fundraising for the hospital Trevor Reid said, “Southmead maternity unit has had a fantastic reputation for many generations. The maternity teams do a magnificent job in making sure that today’s Mums and babies are as comfortable as possible. We want to ensure our facilities do the same.”

A donor wall depicting balloons floating over Bristol has also gone up in the Maternity unit as part of the Mum’s the Word appeal. The five metre long mural shows a Bristol scene and supporters are being encouraged to personalise a balloon with a message which will be displayed on the mural, in return for a donation to the appeal.

Trevor added, “There are so many ways to support the Mum’s the Word appeal with our donor wall, events, cake bakes and raffles planned for this year. We hope lots of people who have experienced the brilliant care at the Maternity unit at Southmead hospital will show their support.”

Donations to the appeal can be made online at www.justgiving.co.uk/mumsthewordappeal. More details about the appeal and forthcoming events can be found at www.mumsthewordappeal.org.uk

Cheque donations can be made out to “Mums the Word appeal” and sent to Mums the Word appeal, Fundraising office, Christopher Hancock building, Southmead hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB.