Special Cot will Support Grieving Parents at Royal Hospital in Bromley Hospital

FAMILIES who suffer the tragedy of stillbirth will be able to spend precious time with their baby at the Royal Hospital in Bromley thanks to the donation of an ‘Abi Cooling cot.’

Abi Cooling Cot’s keep babies at a cooler temperature meaning that the child can stay with their parents for longer, giving families the chance to grieve and say goodbye in their own time.

Holly and Lee Gisby and their daughters, Daisy and Chloe recently visited the Princess Royal Hospital in Bromley to officially hand over the Abi Cooling Cot they had donated in their son Albie’s memory.

Holly Gisby said:

“Finding out that Albie’s cot was used 3 days after being delivered to the Royal Hospital in Bromley made it even more special to us all. Knowing it has helped and brought comfort to other bereaved families already makes it even more worthwhile.”

Sara Hunt, a Specialist Midwife for Pregnancy Loss at the Royal Hospital in Bromley said:

“The Abi Cooling Cot is fantastic and has already been a huge source of comfort to many families who have benefited from it. It has provided the opportunity for families to spend as much time as they need with their children and make precious memories. We cannot thank the family enough for this wonderful gift in Albie’s memory.”

The family have raised enough to donate a further two Abi Cots. They are going to a new hospital, The Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham, which opened on 6 October 2024.

Holly Gisby continued:

“We now can’t wait for cots two and three to be delivered, so we can see these too. Our fundraising continues, to help to reach our target and donate cot number four. We are so thankful to all our friends, family and the local community, for helping us raise enough money for two more cots. Knowing they are going to a new hospital makes it even more special to us and being able to donate two more Cooling Cots is a dream come true.   Albie’s name will live on in this hospital and we hope these cots bring some comfort to other families.”

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

“When we had Abigail we only had two or three hours with her, the Abi Colling Cot allows people to have two or three days if they wish. Abigail’s Footsteps is committed to providing an Abi Cooling Cot to all hospitals across the UK. Each special cot costs £3,000 and thanks to the generosity of those who fundraise for us we have to date been able to donate over 200 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.