Muslim colleagues at Macclesfield Hospital have been raising funds for maternity services.

Staff at East Cheshire NHS Trust currently observing the holy month of Ramadan recently hosted an Iftar event at Macclesfield District General Hospital.

In keeping with the values of generosity and compassion that lie at the heart of Ramadan, guests were invited to support two chosen local charities - Just Drop In in Macclesfield and the East Cheshire NHS Trust Maternity Project.

Sara Nausheen, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and clinical lead, who organised the event, said: "We are raising funds to enhance our maternity services and provide improved care for some of the most vulnerable women in our community - including those affected by domestic abuse, women facing significant social deprivation, those living with mental health challenges, and refugee women.

"These groups are known to experience a higher incidence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

"Our aim is to strengthen care pathways, and to improve communication and continuity of care throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period, ensuring that every woman feels safe, supported and understood. Through this project, we hope to improve outcomes for both mothers and their babies, delivering care that is compassionate, equitable and of the highest standard.

"This event was a wonderful opportunity to come together, learn from one another, and unwind at the end of the week in a true spirit of community. Before the evening concluded, Ann Wright, chief officer at Just Drop In, and Nicky Biggar, head of midwifery, spoke about the projects we are proud to be supporting.

"I am also grateful to Kara Mason, director of finance and estates, for granting permission to host the event at the hospital, and to the many teams across the trust who helped us deliver such a well-attended evening. We were delighted to welcome around one hundred guests from departments across the hospital, including John Hunter, medical director, and Wendy Moss, hospital chaplain."

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Consultant anaesthetist Lutfi Suleiman provided an introduction to Ramadan (Credit: ECNHST)

During Ramadan, Muslims fast each day from dawn until sunset, refraining from food and drink as an act of devotion and self-discipline.

The fast is broken at sunset with a meal known as Iftar, which is traditionally shared with family, friends and the wider community.

The Iftar at Macclesfield Hospital was held in the Tree Tops Restaurant at the hospital on Friday, February 20.

It began with a short welcome, followed by an introduction to Ramadan from Lutfi Suleiman, consultant anaesthetist, and a brief prayer led by Ziad Al Khaddar, general surgeon.

Sara said: "Our colleagues were invited, if they wished, to fast for the day to gain a small insight and to share more fully in the spirit and experience of Ramadan.

"It was heartening to see so many take up the challenge while continuing their day-to-day clinical duties.

"We are incredibly proud of them for showing such solidarity. It is little wonder that the evening meal - complete with delicious sweet treats, including special Ramadan cakes prepared by Jabeen Razzaq-Sheikh, principal pharmacist - was so warmly appreciated."

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Lily Preston, fundraising and events manager, added: "I would like to thank Sara and all our colleagues who organised this wonderful event and helped to raise much-needed funds for the maternity project."

Donations to Just Drop In can be made here, with a link to the Maternity Project's JustGiving page available here.