Key Points
- Specialist training equipment for carers donated by Blackrod-based healthcare company Medicina to Bolton-based Lagan's Foundation.
- Donation includes nasogastric feeding tubes in various sizes, stoma bags, and enteral syringes, all for training purposes only.
- Lagan's Foundation, founded by Carren Bell, supports parents of children with medical conditions and health needs from its base at Futura Park in Middlebrook.
- Carren Bell, founder and CEO of Lagan's Foundation, thanked Medicina for the donation, noting it frees up resources for families.
- Mark Evans, UK Sales & Marketing Director at Medicina, highlighted the company's pride in supporting the charity's training efforts.
- Medicina, established nearly three decades ago, specialises in enteral feeding devices, respiratory solutions, and urology products.
- The equipment will help caregivers gain essential skills, addressing the high cost of such training materials.
- Story first reported by The Bolton News on 5 May 2026, with coverage echoed on Yahoo UK News and Lagan's Foundation's Instagram.
Bolton (Bolton Today) May 5, 2026 – Specialist training equipment for carers has been donated to Lagan's Foundation, a Bolton children's charity, by healthcare firm Medicina, enabling vital hands-on training for parents supporting children with complex medical needs.
The donation, comprising nasogastric feeding tubes in various sizes, stoma bags, and enteral syringes, is designated solely for training use, helping to equip caregivers with practical skills without straining the charity's budget. Lagan's Foundation, based at Futura Park in Middlebrook, provides essential support to families whose children face health challenges, and this contribution allows it to redirect funds directly to those in need. As reported across multiple outlets including The Bolton News and Yahoo UK News, the gesture underscores growing corporate support for local health charities in Greater Manchester.
What Equipment Was Donated to Lagan's Foundation?
The donated items consist precisely of nasogastric feeding tubes in assorted sizes, stoma bags, and enteral syringes, all calibrated for non-clinical training scenarios. These supplies replicate real-world medical tools used in enteral feeding and stoma care, allowing carers to practise safe handling techniques under controlled conditions. According to coverage in The Bolton News, this practical equipment addresses a key barrier, as purchasing such items solely for training can prove prohibitively expensive for smaller charities like Lagan's Foundation.
Why Is This Equipment Vital for Training?
Nasogastric tubes facilitate feeding directly into the stomach, a common need for children with swallowing difficulties or chronic illnesses, while stoma bags manage waste output post-surgery, and enteral syringes ensure precise delivery of nutrition. Hands-on practice with these replicas builds confidence among parents and carers, reducing errors in home care settings where professional oversight is limited. Mark Evans, UK Sales & Marketing Director at Medicina, stated to Yahoo UK News:
"Medicina takes pride in providing medical equipment to assist in training the remarkable team at Lagan's Foundation, facilitating life-changing care for families in need."
Which Charity Received the Donation?
Lagan's Foundation, operating from Futura Park in Middlebrook, Bolton, focuses on aiding parents of children with conditions and health needs through resources, advice, and training programmes. Founded and led by Carren Bell as CEO, the charity emphasises practical empowerment for families navigating complex care routines. A post on Lagan's Foundation's Instagram account celebrated the donation with the words:
"A big shout out to Medicina in Blackrod, who have kindly donated medical equipment to Lagan's Foundation for training purposes."
How Does Lagan's Foundation Support Families?
The charity allocates resources towards direct assistance for parents, including guidance on managing medical equipment at home, which this donation bolsters by enhancing training capabilities. Carren Bell, founder and CEO, expressed her appreciation in remarks reported by The Bolton News:
"We are so thankful to Medicina for their generous donation. It allows us to allocate our resources towards the parents [of] children with conditions and health needs."
This approach ensures families receive targeted help amid rising demands on children's health services in the Bolton area.
Who Is the Donating Healthcare Company?
Medicina, headquartered in Blackrod near Bolton, is a UK-based firm established nearly three decades ago, specialising in enteral feeding devices, respiratory solutions, and urology products. The company supplies medical-grade equipment to healthcare providers nationwide, positioning it as a key player in specialised care tools. As covered by Yahoo UK News, Medicina's donation reflects its commitment to community initiatives beyond commercial sales.
What Does Medicina Specialise In?
Enteral feeding devices form the core of Medicina's portfolio, alongside respiratory aids and urological care products, all designed for safe, effective patient management. Mark Evans elaborated on the firm's ethos, noting in The Bolton News that supporting training for organisations like Lagan's Foundation aligns with their mission to enable "life-changing care." This donation marks a practical extension of their expertise into charitable support.
What Has Carren Bell Said About the Donation?
Carren Bell personally thanked Medicina, highlighting the donation's strategic value in a statement to The Bolton News:
"We are so thankful to Medicina for their generous donation. It allows us to allocate our resources towards the parents [of] children with conditions and health needs."
Her comments, echoed in Yahoo UK News, underscore the charity's resource constraints and the relief provided by such contributions. Bell's leadership has positioned Lagan's Foundation as a vital lifeline for Bolton families since its inception.
What Is Mark Evans' Perspective on the Initiative?
Mark Evans, as UK Sales & Marketing Director, articulated Medicina's motivation clearly:
"Medicina takes pride in providing medical equipment to assist in training the remarkable team at Lagan's Foundation, facilitating life-changing care for families in need."
Reported verbatim in both The Bolton News and Yahoo UK News, Evans' statement emphasises the training's role in empowering carers. His remarks frame the donation as part of a broader effort to bridge gaps in community healthcare education.
When and Where Was the Story First Reported?
The story broke on 5 May 2026 via The Bolton News, with a tweet from @TheBoltonNews linking to the article and garnering initial attention. Yahoo UK News followed with detailed coverage under the headline
"Healthcare firm donates specialist training equipment to Bolton charity,"
published the same day. Lagan's Foundation amplified the news on Instagram, confirming the Blackrod connection.
How Has the Story Spread Across Media?
Coverage remains concentrated in local and regional outlets, with The Bolton News providing the primary reporting and social media extensions via Twitter and Instagram. No further national pick-up noted as of 5 May 2026, though the story's feel-good nature positions it for potential viral sharing in Greater Manchester networks. All sources consistently attribute details to direct quotes from Bell and Evans, ensuring factual alignment.
Why Does This Donation Matter for Carers?
Training with authentic replicas equips carers to manage enteral feeding and stoma care competently, critical for children's long-term wellbeing at home. The high cost of such gear often deters comprehensive programmes, making Medicina's gift transformative for Lagan's Foundation. As Carren Bell noted, it shifts focus to family support, amplifying the charity's reach amid stretched NHS resources.
How Does This Fit Broader Charity Trends in Bolton?
Bolton hosts several children's health initiatives, such as Our Bolton NHS Charity, which funds equipment and training for Royal Bolton Hospital, though distinct from Lagan's Foundation. Recent examples include a family's £1,200 donation to the NHS charity following exceptional care, highlighting reciprocal community giving. Medicina's contribution aligns with this pattern, fostering a supportive ecosystem for paediatric care in the region.
What Are the Next Steps for Lagan's Foundation?
With the equipment now in hand, Lagan's Foundation plans immediate integration into carer training sessions at Futura Park, as implied by Bell's resource redirection comments. Ongoing partnerships like this could expand offerings, potentially drawing more families to Middlebrook. Mark Evans' involvement suggests Medicina may support future initiatives, though no formal announcements have followed the 5 May reports.