Douglas-based E-gaming firm Newfield has donated £20,000 to the island’s neonatal unit.

The charity, also known as the special care baby unit (SCBU), was nominated by Newfield staff as their charity of the year for 2018.

Based in the east wing of Noble’s Hospital, it cares for premature and full-term babies who require specialist care and support in the Isle of Man.

Money was raised through a series of events and challenges, including the Christmas party raffle where more than £6,000 was collected.

Newfield directors matched the total made on the night.

A five-a-side football tournament, a number of corporate and employee golf days, a World Cup sweepstake, year-round donation boxes in the office and some personal donations, among other initiatives, contributed to the grand total.

The original target was £15,000.

The money raised will go towards equipment for the unit, including a video laryngoscope, a small device used to look into a baby’s throat and larynx that enables medical professionals to perform and record numerous procedures.

The device will improve the efficiency of care nurses can provide babies and enhance staff training.

Newfield also presented the SCBU with a photo printer in January 2018 to make it easier to provide parents with a keepsake of their babies during their first few days of life.

Paul McCann, lead nurse at SCBU, said: ’A donation of £20,000 is quite simply staggering and will go a long way in the level of support and care we provide to premature and full-term babies.

’The video laryngoscope has been on our wish list for quite some time so it’s incredible to finally have the funds to purchase the new device, among other important pieces of equipment.

’The time, effort and commitment Newfield staff have put into fundraising for SCBU over the past year is evident in the total amount raised and they should be proud of this wonderful achievement - we are certainly grateful.’

One of Newfield’s directors, Mark Reynolds, said: ’We admire the second-to-none level of care, expertise and compassion staff at SCBU provide to new-born babies on the island - the team at Nobles Hospital is an important support network for families at a very emotional and upsetting time. We hope these funds help SCBU invest in valuable equipment to continue to deliver its exceptional service.’

Newfield’s charity of the year for 2019 is the Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man. Staff have already raised more than £7,000 for that.

Mr Reynolds said: ’The Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man is a vital lifeline for individuals and families affected by the disease. We’re looking forward to raising further funds for this important charity through a series of fundraising events and hopefully making a difference to the work they do on the island.’