THE Countess of Chester Hospital's Human Milk Bank Appeal is £4,000 richer thanks to Shell staff and contractors at the Stan-low manufacturing complex.

Shell's donation originated from the Stanlow Save 'n' Score scheme, a site-wide initiative which provides charity cash incentives for employ-ees to work safely.

Money raised will be used to cover the costs of running this vital service for Chester, Ellesmere Port and North Wales.

Every year, 300 babies are born in the Chester area needing the expert support of the special care baby unit at the Countess.

Research shows that sick and premature babies can have their chances of survival and long-term development increased substantially if fed breast milk.

The support of donations of milk from other nursing mothers means these poorly babies receive sufficient quantities of this precious milk when there is a shortfall.

Milk bank manager and senior neonatal nurse practitioner Linda Coulter, said: 'Although the donated milk is given freely by donors, it costs £100 to collect, test, store and process each litre of milk.

'Regular milk and monetary donations are still needed and we are extremely pleased to accept this generous donation from Shell, particularly as it is the result of people adopting safer ways of working.'

Shell technologist Tracy Hughes, who nominated the charity for a Save 'n' Score donation, said: 'I nominated this charity as all three of my children have spent a significant time in the special care unit.

'My first child was born at 31 weeks and my twins at 32 weeks. At that time the human milk bank was not available and other measures had to be used to feed my babies.

'The fact that this facility is now available is thanks to the care and dedication of the hospital-unit staff. They identified the need for this scheme and have worked to raise the funds and awareness necessary to make it happen.'