Leap day: Leaplings and their carers at Birmingham's Women and Children's Hospital treated with special meals

Maternity units staff, who delivered leap year babies today (February 29) - a special date that comes only once every four years - were treated to 29 meals by a Birmingham restaurant.

The meals were delivered to the maternity units across the UK, including Birmingham's Women and Children's Hospital, where the staff worked, to celebrate their hard work and dedication.

The restaurant group, The Coconut Tree specialises in authentic and flavourful Sri Lankan cuisine, wanted to honour the workers who bring the next generation of ‘leaplings’ into the world. It has a venue on Gas Street, near Broad Street, in the city centre.

Leaplings are people who are born on February 29, and have fewer birthdays than most people.  One of the co-founders of the restaurant group, Rashintha Rodrigo, has a personal connection to leaplings, as his mother is one of them.

 “My mother is a leapling, having only technically had fifteen birthdays, and our roots are so important to us. So, we thought what better way to celebrate Mum and give back to the community than to offer a little something to the staff working hard this 29th to bring the next generation of leaplings into the world,” he said.

The meals consisted of The Coconut Tree’s signature small plates, which showcase the diverse and delicious flavours of Sri Lanka. Some of the dishes included Kotthus, which are chopped roti breads mixed with vegetables, egg, and meat, and Sambols, which are spicy coconut relishes.

The Coconut Tree teams personally delivered the combined 232 meals to the staff on the maternity wards at:

• Southmead Hospital in Bristol (Glos Rd)

• St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol (The Triangle)

• Royal United Hospital in Bath

• Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading

• John Radcliff maternity ward in Oxford

• Royal Bournemouth Hospital in Bournemouth

• Cheltenham General Hospital in Cheltenham

• Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Birmingham 

The Coconut Tree also treated its customers to an extra dish on leap day, chosen by the chef, to complement their order. The customers were able to sample some of the classic favourites as well as some new creations from the chefs. 

The Coconut Tree is a restaurant group that was founded in 2016 by five friends who wanted to share their love of Sri Lankan food and culture with the UK. 

The restaurant has since grown to eight locations, and has won awards and accolades for its quality and authenticity. The restaurant prides itself on its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, its affordable and accessible menu, and its commitment to giving back to the community.