Couple help others dealing with the grief of losing baby
CHARITY SET UP AFTER STILLBIRTH DONATES KIT TO CITY HOSPITALS
many parents of stillborn children, Ceri Amphlett and Billy Key were helped through their grief by having the opportunity to be with their son, Rufus.
In October 2020, Ceri delivered Rufus after 39 weeks when he died due to complications including a placenta abruption and a rare bloodclotting disorder, known as HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets) syndrome.
For the next six days, Ceri and Billy spent time with his body.
Now the couple has given gifts to maternity hospitals for Leicestershire families coming to terms with a similar loss.
Billy and Ceri, from Rugby, were offered a CuddleCot for Rufus at the hospital in Coventry. Ceri said: “We had no idea what to expect after Rufus came into the world.
“It is not a situation you make plans for in advance, but our wonderful bereavement midwife explained to us that we could have access to a CuddleCot if we wanted,
would allow us to have Rufus next to us while I recovered in hospital.”
Billy said: “This piece of equipment leaves parents able to spend a few days with their children after death, giving them the opportunity to create memories while coming to terms with their loss.
“We will forever be grateful for the days we spent with Rufus.
“Rufus was perfect in every way, weighing in at 6lb 6oz, a whopping 51cm long with the most perfect button nose and lots of wavy red hair.”
Ceri said: “We were able to spend six unforgettable days together as a family, during which time we made memories which we will treasure forever, including introducing him to his grandparents and aunties, giving him a bath, taking him outside to let the sun shine on his beautiful face and endless cuddles and kisses.
“And the feeling of love we experienced having him next to us has been immeasurable in helping us through this unique grief.”
Billy and Ceri found out CuddleLIKE
Cots, which are rarely funded by the NHS, cost £1,750.
They decided to raise money to provide one to the Coventry hospital – and now their charity, Rememberwhich ing Rufus, has raised for 15 more cots at hospitals including Leicester Royal Infirmary and George Eliot in Nuneaton.
Billy said they were overwhelmed when donations reached almost £7,000, which encouraged them to launch a charity in Rufus’s memory.
He said: “While nothing can bring back our Rufus, we want to do whatever we can to help and support parents going through the most painful time imaginable.
“In the 19 months since we set up the charity, we have donated 15 cots, and have plans and funds in place for an additional five.”
The family have completed 10k races, half marathons and three peaks challenges.
Lauren Schofield, who runs the UK organisation Baby Sensory, recently ran eight classes across two days, along with a raffle, and donated all of the funds to Remember Rufus.
Billy said: “We have been blown away by the love and support shown by so many people.
The charity has places in the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2023.
Contact Billy and Ceri via: