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Families who experience a stillbirth or whose baby dies shortly after birth will be helped through the trauma by gifts from Abigail’s Footsteps.

Charity helps Trust support bereaved parents

Families who experience a stillbirth or whose baby dies shortly after birth will be helped through the trauma by gifts from Abigail’s Footsteps.

The charity presented an Abi Cot, Cuddle Cot and a digital camera to the Maternity Unit at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, and also donated funding to enable 20 midwives to undergo bereavement training.

The presentations were made by the charity’s Vice President Cheryl Baker and Patron Lady Astor of Hever to the Trust’s Acting Head of Midwifery and Gynaecology, Helen Bland.

The Abi cot is a type of cold cot which will give parents an opportunity to spend precious time with their baby in hospital. The Cuddle Cot allows parents to take their baby home for a short time should they wish, before they say goodbye. The camera will enable trained staff to capture beautiful memories of the family’s brief time with their baby.

Ms Bland said: “Families in this sad situation usually find some comfort in being able to keep their baby with them at their side during their stay in hospital. This allows them to make memories and say goodbye privately, which is important to them. We want to do all we can to help parents and families who have suffered a bereavement and this generous donation from Abigail’s Footsteps will enable us to provide extra support and comfort to them during this difficult time.”

Abigail’s Footsteps was supported in its fundraising by local community groups, including the Whitstable and Herne Bay Lions Club, the Deal Inner Wheel and the Kent Police Foundation Training Team.

 

Our supporters worked so hard to raise the funds and we are grateful for their efforts

David Ward, Founder and Director 

Founder and Director David Ward said: “We hope these resources will never be used, but sadly we know that they will, and we hope they go some way towards making a very sad time just a little bit easier. Our supporters worked so hard to raise the funds and we are grateful for their efforts.”

Abigail’s Footsteps are continuing their fundraising for the department by supporting the appeal to raise £90,000 for a full bereavement suite. Anyone who would like to get involved in this should contact Kerri Eilertsen-Feeney, Maternity Matron, on 01843 225544.


Photos courtesy of Rachel Luckhurst