What is a cuddle cot ? "I hear you ask" upto 6 months ago I too was blissfully unaware of their existence.

A cuddle cot is a refrigerated cooling system which has been designed to fit into a Moses basket or small cot, this system allows babies who have passed away to remain with their families for a few days, allowing precious time to be spent with baby.

My name is Carol and I am Grandma to an Angel Granddaughter.
For 7 years my daughter Tanya and son-in-law Darryl tried for a baby.

On the 18th April 2016, I was told the exciting news I was going to be a Grandma on the 26th November. Finally our miracle baby was on the horizon.

The pregnancy passed without trauma and the whole family was getting ready to welcome Elsie-May into the world.

At 3.15am on Wednesday 23rd November, 3 days to Elsie-May's due date I got the heartbreaking telephone call from Darryl saying, "We have lost Elsie-May"
They were at hospital as Tanya had felt few movements that night and the hospital said Elsie-May had no heartbeat.

I rushed round trying to get dressed in a haze of tears, disbelief and questions. I arrived at hospital to see my own little girl looking so lost and sad, I would have given my life to change what had just happened.

A doctor was listening for a heartbeat but the sound of silence was deafening, I stood rooted to the spot praying for a heartbeat to be heard, but instead the doctor confirmed there was no heartbeat. The bottom fell out of our world at that second.

The following day Tanya was given a tablet and sent home until Friday, only to return to hospital to give birth to her beautiful baby girl knowing she would never open her eyes or make a single sound.

We arrived at hospital on Friday morning ready for the second tablet which would start her labour.

I tightly held my daughters hand throughout her Labour, helping both her and Darryl through the most heartbreaking event that could possibly happen to them. Tanya was so brave and Darryl was a massive tower of strength, my heart was broken into a million pieces to see them both so vulnerable and in absolute agony.

After a short labour Elsie-May made her entrance into this world sleeping.

Thanks to the use of a cuddle cot an essential piece of equipment available in some hospitals, the whole family got to spend 3 days with Elsie-May. Making memories, been able to hold, kiss and cuddle her, very important normal everyday things most parents get a lifetime to do. We took hundreds of photos and spent our time talking, crying, laughing and been totally silent. We had her baptised in the chapel and all dreaded the moment we had to leave Elsie-May at the hospital.

The cuddle cot gave Tanya, Darryl and the rest of our families chance to say hello and goodbye in our own time.

With your kind help we could raise funds to buy at least one cuddle cot giving another family the same opportunity we had and to spend precious time with their baby.

All money raised will go towards the purchase of a cuddle cot for a hospital that is in desperate need of one.

My partner Stuart is going to participate in the Leeds half marathon on Sunday 14th May 2017 in remembrance of Elsie-May, any money raised will also go towards the purchase of a cuddle cot.

Please help us and donate anything you can,

Thank you for taking the time to read my story
Carol