Grieving family in cot comfort

Joseph Shearns and Rachael Chadwick with their son Jacob

A grieving family whose baby daughter was stillborn is hoping to raise enough money to provide a “cuddle cot” at the Royal Oldham Hospital for other families in the same situation.

Rachael Chadwick, 20, set up Primrose’s Wings in memory of her baby daughter Primrose, who was stillborn on 14 March. Primrose, born at 20 weeks and weighing only 11oz, was placed in a cuddle cot – medical equipment that slows the deterioration of stillborn children and allows family members more time.

Now Rachael and fiancé Joseph Shearns, 23, are aiming to raise £6,000 to provide such a cot, a wooden crib and keepsake boxes for parents in their situation.

Rachael, from Rossendale, said: “The cot allows families to spend much longer with their baby before they have to say their goodbye. We were able to spend 18 hours with Primrose because of the cuddle cot. But when we left hospital three other couples on the ward in the same situation didn’t have use of a cuddle cot. We decided we would make it our mission to provide one.”

The couple raised £5,000 to cover the cost with sponsored events. Inspired by the stories of other parents, Rachael decided to continue her appeal and set about finding another hospital to help.

Rachael, who also has a 20-month old son Jacob with Joseph, added: “The Royal Oldham Hospital is quite local to us and after contacting them I found out that their neonatal intensive care unit needed a cuddle cot.”

Visit www.facebook.com/PrimrosesWings to find out more.