Mike Hobbs, father of two, from Dorchester, has nominated the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) to receive £30,000 from Pokémon, after he won a competition playing the new Pokémon video game, Champions, in London this summer.
The money donated will help to fund new ensuite accommodation for parents on the SCBU ward, so families can be close as their babies receive life-saving care.
Mike is a local tree- surgeon and first came into the spotlight as three-time men’s World Champion stinging nettle eater, which is hosted at the Bottle Inn in Marshwood, Dorset. The Pokémon competition is comprised of individuals from all around the world who are champions in various niche and eccentric sports. Following Mike’s success with nettle eating, he was selected to play the new Pokémon Champions game, competing against 7 others, including a pillow fighting champion from America and an air guitar champion from Canada.
“I had never played Pokémon in my life” says Mike. “We spent one day in a conference room being taught by the Pokémon World Champion how to play – I sat in the front row, made lots of notes and couldn’t believe it as I made it to the final and then won, becoming the Pokémon Champions, Champion of Champions! I am quite a competitive person, it was a case of mind over matter for eating the nettles, so I really set my mind to winning both competitions.”
Mike won a holiday to Singapore for his family next year, and the opportunity to donate £30,000 to a Charity of his choice. Donating to Dorset County Hospital was an easy decision; both Mike’s children spent time in SCBU at Dorset County Hospital, where they received lifesaving care when they were born.
“Our family owe a great deal to the NHS and in particular the dedicated staff on SCBU at Dorset County Hospital,” said Mike. “We stayed there for many nights with both of our children receiving care when they were born. The dedicated NHS staff have the highest level of care for tiny and sick babies while being amazingly reassuring for parents at such an emotional and difficult time.
We wanted to give something back to other parents going through that, so the money will fund ensuite facilities for parents to stay close to their baby. We have used the hospital extensively over the years, with my son and daughter being on Kingfisher. I have everything to thank Dorset County Hospital for – without them my wife and children wouldn’t be here.”
Débora Pascoal Horta, Neonatal Matron on SCBU at DCH said, “The Team are extremely grateful for this amazing donation. We will be able to bring forward the refurbishment of the Parent Rooms area, offering better facilities to families much quicker than expected. We have been receiving feedback from parents for a long time now, explaining how the facilities could be improved and this is going to help us resolve that. This money will allow us to transform all four rooms into ensuites and update the furniture, giving better facilities and privacy to families who are going through a difficult time.”
Simon Pearson, Head of DCH Charity said, “Fundraising can happen in so many different ways, and for so many reasons, and this is a very unique donation. We are so honoured that Mike chose to donate this huge amount to SCBU at Dorset County Hospital, where local people will benefit from this investment for many years to come. Thank you also to Pokémon for this generous donation.”
Find out more about the DCH Charity and how you can get involved at: www.dchcharity.org.uk.
