Special cot helps grieving parents make memories

FAMILIES who suffer the tragedy of stillbirth will be able to spend precious time with their baby at Poole Maternity Hospital thanks to an  ‘Abi Cooling cot’ donated through the charity Abigail’s Footsteps. 

The special cot was purchased with funds raised by the family and friends of Natalie Warren who lost her son Andrew nearly 17 years ago whilst 32 weeks pregnant. In honour of Andrew’s 16th birthday, Natalie hosted a Family Fun Day to raise the £2,900 to purchase an Abi Cooling Cot.  

Natalie Warren said:

“It’s been 16 years since we lost our son Andrew, and the pain never goes away. We didn’t have the chance to spend much time with him, so being able to give grieving parents and families the gift of additional time to spend with their baby means that Andrew’s memory will be now looked back with saudade.”

Natalie and her friend Natalie Pieri visited Poole Maternity Hospital to officially hand over the cot to the maternity unit on Wednesday 12 April 2023. Natalie said:

“Thank you to the whole team for hosting myself and Natalie. It was a lovely and humbling experience, and we are so glad that the cot has been able to bring some comfort to parents who have found themselves in that heart-breaking position.”

The Cooling Cot will be used in the hospital’s Bereavement Suite which offers parents a safe and comfortable space to spend time with their baby and receive visits from family and friends.

Michelle Norton, Bereavement Support Midwife at Poole Maternity Hospital said:

“Receiving the donation of the Abi Cooling Cot has meant so much to us as a team caring for bereaved families. It has ensured that our families can now spend more precious time with their baby and have them close to them. We would like to send a huge thank you to the family and friends who have fundraised and to make them aware of the comfort that they have already brought to our families.” 

David Ward, Chief Executive, of Abigail’s Footsteps, said:

“Abigail’s Footsteps is committed to providing an Abi Cooling Cot to all hospitals across the UK. Each special cot costs £2,900 and thanks to the generosity of those who fundraise for us we have to date been able to donate over 100 cots to hospitals across the UK.”

To find out more about Abigail’s Footsteps, please visit: www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk and to discuss how you could help fundraise for an Abi Cooling Cot please contact: faye.hill@abigailsfootsteps.co.uk.