Thousands raised for homeless woman who gave birth to twins outside Cambridge University
Members of the public called for an ambulance and the woman聽was聽taken to the Rosie Hospital with her newborn babies on Monday.
Friday 27 December 2019 13:09, UK
More than 拢20,000 has been raised for a homeless woman who reportedly gave birth to twins on the street outside Cambridge University.
The woman was helped by passersby when she went into labour outside Trinity College, known as Cambridge University's wealthiest college.
Members of the public called for an ambulance and the woman was taken to the Rosie Hospital with her newborn babies just before 7am on Monday.
A witness told Cambridge News the woman had given birth at 29 weeks - around 11 weeks early.
She said she had seen the mother and babies wrapped in blankets inside ambulances when she cycled past.
The witness said: "They were all in the ambulances by the time I cycled past. My workmate was first on the scene, and luckily Sainsbury's was open early that morning and she ran in there for help.
"I'm hoping she gets given somewhere to live and the babies are ok."
A Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: "We are aware of the level of public kindness and concern for the woman reported to have been brought to the Rosie after giving birth on the streets of Cambridge.
"We would like to reassure the public that all appropriate assistance and support is being offered by Health and Social Care to the family at this difficult time."
A JustGiving fundraising page was set up for the new mother and has already surpassed its £18,500 target.
Jess Agar, who set up the page, wrote that there was "extraordinary inequality" in the city of Cambridge.
She wrote: "Childbirth should be an exciting time of joy and wonder.
"Imagine giving birth alone on the pavement, in the shadow of the richest college in Cambridge."
Ms Agar continued: "Whether we are religious or not, many of us will be familiar with the Christmas story of a mother who gave birth to her child in poverty, seeking refuge in a stable.
"This is the reality for many people living on the streets."
A Shelter report earlier this month found that a child in Britain becomes homeless every eight minutes.
At least 135,000 would have been living in temporary accommodation on Christmas Day, the study found.