Cash raised for cots
A kind-hearted Blairgowrie couple has raised over £3000 to purchase two cuddle cots to help bereaved families in the area after the death of their own daughter.
Bernadette Nelson (35) and Michael Hay (33) were devastated when their daughter Emily was stillborn in February this year and decided they wanted to do something to help the TULIP (Tayside Unit for Loss in Pregnancy) Suite in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Setting themselves an initial target of £250 to go towards the cost of a cuddle cot, the couple have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of local people, which has enabled them to raise over ten times that amount.
Bernadette said: “We initially wanted to raise £250 for the TULIP Suite just to help them with costs and maybe paint it, and then if any money was left over it could go towards the cost of a cuddle cot, so we set up a JustGiving page, and then held a bingo tea in the town hall.
“The cuddle cots cost £1575 each - little did I know we would be able to buy two.”
Cuddle cots are baby cribs that have been medically equipped to regulate the temperature of the baby, allowing the parents of stillborn babies to spend several days with their loved ones.
The cribs are recognised across the world as significantly helping parents who suffer the loss of a baby.
Bernadette has purchased the cuddle cots through SiMBA, the Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal, a charity dedicated to responding to the needs of those affected by the loss of a baby during pregnancy or close to the time of birth by helping to provide memories of the baby.
And the cuddle cots will each have a plaque with Emily’s name on it in memory of their daughter.
Bernadette said: “We used a cuddle cot for three and a half days in the TULIP Suite.
“Emily was born at 37 weeks. I had blood clots and her heart had stopped beating.
“I don’t know how to describe how it felt, there are no words to describe losing a child - brokenhearted doesn’t cover it, it is completely and utterly devastating.
“It’s just broken me and Michael is heart-broken too but is being strong for me.
“I will never forget the time we had with Emily in the hospital, it was the most precious time ever.
“We got to cuddle her, change her, bath her and the days we got to spend with her really helped the grieving process, I can smile when I think about it.”
Bernadette went on to say: “I didn’t know anything about cuddle cots before, when they told me Emily had died. I thought they would just take her away, but we have got some memories with her that we wouldn’t have had if it wasn’t for the cuddle cot.
“While we were in the hospital I was talking to the midwives and the nurses there and they said that they only had two cuddle cots, and I thought well what happens if there’s a third family that needs them?
“The week that Emily died I remember them saying that there were four babies that week that had died in Ninewells alone.
“And I heard about a family friend who only had one night with their baby because there were two other families waiting on a cuddle cot.
“So I decided I needed to help in some way and I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to buy two.”
The bingo tea in Blairgowrie Town Hall was attended by over 100 people.
Bernadette said: “We were overwhelmed by the support and the community coming together, it showed me just how much people care.
“It was quite an emotional night, knowing that people were there for me and to support me.”
And the couple are also hugely grateful for the support they have received from Harlow’s Helping Hands, a charity set up in memory of Harlow Edwards, the toddler that was killed by a car in Coupar Angus in October last year.
Bernadette said: “Harlow’s Helping Hands were great, they helped us get a headstone for Emily and we really appreciate what they did for us.
“We were the first family that they helped and are just so grateful for their support.
“Everyone has been so supportive and kind.”
Bernadette and Michael will be presenting the two cots to staff at Ninewells Hospital within the next few days.
I’m really pleased that we managed to buy two . . . Bernadette