LOCHABER ROTARY CLUB PAYS FOR COT FOR STILLBORN BABIES Thanks to the vision of bereaved parents Colin and Rebecca Stewart, and the generosity of the Rotary Club of Lochaber, NHS Highland now has a "cuddle cot" for stillborn babies in its maternity unit at Raigmore Hospital. Following the sad and traumatic event of giving birth to their stillborn son Kyle on 13th May 2011, Colin and Rebecca, from Fort William, approached Lochaber Rotary Club to request funding for a "cuddle cot" to assist grieving parents. It was only through being in this position themselves that Colin and Rebecca realised that the hospital had no facilities to enable the parents of stillborn and neo-natal death babies to bond and grieve for their baby before its funeral. The cuddle cot, which is specially designed to give parents more time to cope with their bereavement, is a small, light and internally cooled carry cot that halts deterioration of the baby for several days and allows parents prolonged time to spend with their baby before burial. Rebecca said "sadly 11 babies are stillborn every day in the UK and tragically our son became one of these babies on the 13th May 2011. This cuddle cot will provide many parents with the opportunity to spend as much time as possible to bond with their babies, and create precious memories to help with their sad loss. Colin and I extend our sincere thanks to Lochaber Rotary Club for kindly donating the cuddle cot to Raigmore in memory of our son Kyle Alan Stewart". Lochaber Rotary Club President John Rosie said "the Club was very touched by the request from Colin and Rebecca and had no hesitation in agreeing to fund this vital facility for the benefit of bereaved parents in the Highlands. It will assist with the grieving process and also allow some parents to take their baby home for a short period, if they so wish". Angela Watt, Midwifery Manager at the hospital, thanked Colin and Rebecca, and the Rotary Club, for "this very kind donation". Colin and Rebecca are now the happy parents of a baby girl, Cara Grace Stewart, born on 26th July, and weighing in at 71bs 8oz. Proud grandparents, Alan and Denise Kirk, said "Cara has a mop of black hair and we are extremely delighted and relieved grandparents". Alan, who is a past-president of Lochaber Rotary Club, added that he was grateful to the Club for financing this important piece of equipment and he was delighted to hear that Raigmore had finally taken delivery of it.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 14:42:46 +0000