Today was our baby girl Lottie’s due date, the 23rd of September. Our hearts are full of both love and longing today. Although she is not here with us in the way we had dreamt and imagined, New Cross Hospital has given us memories that we will treasure forever. From the incredible care and compassion we received leading up to her birth, throughout our time in NICU, and even in the most heartbreaking moments of her passing, we felt supported, understood, and held by the staff who walked beside us.

We would love to raise money to provide the neonatal unit with special items that brought myself & Dan such comfort, and helped us to create precious memories with Lottie during the most unimaginable time of our lives. After speaking with the unit, one of our goals is to buy the unit a new pushchair that allows parents unfortunate enough to be in the same position as ourselves the chance of a bit of normality in such a surreal time by being able to do something every parent deserves and longs to do and is as simple as being able to take their baby for a walk. We were able to take Lottie to the morgue ourselves by walking her in the pushchair provided by the unit, allowing us to see the sunshine beam down on our beautiful girls face. We are also hoping to provide the most caring, selfless bereavement nurses on the unit with money to fund weighted teddy bears for families as they usually provide these with money out of their own pockets. Weighted teddies are designed to provide a sense of presence for grieving families by replicating the birth weight of their beloved baby. As a bereaved mommy, this alone has brought such comfort. A new camera for the unit has also been recommended so bereaved families can be captured in such precious moments with their baby as we know from experience how important it is to have photos to look back on when that is all you have. Every penny raised will go towards items that give families dignity, comfort, and the chance to make memories that last forever.

Any money raised beyond our goal will be donated directly to the incredible NICU team at New Cross, whose dedication, care, and compassion meant so much to us during our time with Lottie. Supporting them feels like a meaningful way to honour her memory and to give back to the people who gave us and Lottie such kindness and love when we needed it most.

In Lottie’s memory, and with all the gratitude we hold for the care we received, we ask for your support. Every donation, no matter how small, will help us give back to the hospital that gave us so much, and will bring comfort and hope to families who need it most ❤️