Bereaved parents staying overnight in Walsall Manor Hospital following the loss of their babies will be given comfort packs thanks to M6 toll operators who have funded the initiative.
Operators Midland Expressway Ltd have supported Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Maternity Bereavement Service with a donation of £1,500.
The service is used by parents who sadly suffer the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. Bereavement services rely solely on the support from baby loss support charities and donations and are not funded by the NHS.
Walsall Manor Hospital has two allocated bereavement rooms on the delivery suite. Parents will often come to the hospital for a routine check-up and it can be at this time they receive the devastating news that their baby has sadly passed away. From this point they may be admitted into hospital and will have no overnight bags or toiletries with them. The comfort packs contain the essentials needed for an overnight stay such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel and tissues.
Laura Atkinson, Walsall Healthcare’s Specialist Bereavement Midwife said: “We are delighted that Midlands Expressway Ltd has chosen to support Maternity Bereavement Services. This sum of money will make such a difference and ultimately the mothers, father and babies we care for.
“Bereavement Services are dependent on the support from charities; every penny makes a difference and enables us to provide a calm environment with amenities for parents and their families to spend time with their baby or babies following their death.”
Kay Stevens, Social Squad member, added: “I am delighted that we can support such a worthwhile cause, which in turn will support many families when they need it most. I have personal experience of the brilliant work that they do each day for bereaved families. ”
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk