A NEW charity has been formed to support Island families which have suffered the tragic loss of a stillborn baby or infant after birth.
Precious Moments wants to raise £10,000 over the next three years to buy special 'cold cots’, to give bereaved parents the option of spending more time with their baby.
Developed with maternity departments and bereaved parents, the small cooling machine circulates cold fluid to a small flexible cooling blanket which is placed under the baby.
Charity co-founder Nicola Ross said: "We feel St Mary’s Hospital need these items to be offered as a choice.
"We know it’s not for everyone but even if it helps one family out of ten, we can say we helped a family have another day.
"We want to raise around £10,000 in three years to buy three cold cots and provide staff training. Sadly, 15 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every day in the UK. We want to make a huge difference to those parents during this tragic time."
Nicola said the cots are lightweight and can easily be taken home as well as used in the maternity unit.
The charity, which is being registered, was set up by Nicola, Kelly Metcalf and Lynzey Gibbs, following a friend’s grief.
While a Facebook page has already been created, they are planning an official launch on Saturday, between noon and 4pm at Medina Theatre, when they will also shoot a 2013 calendar celebrating Island mums and dads. All parents are welcome to attend.
A fundraising day will also be held at The William Coppin pub, on Coppins Bridge, Newport, over the August bank holiday.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk