Christmas Day baby Cole was the first new arrival at Walsall Manor Hospital today – giving his proud parents a priceless present.

For mum Laura Wilkes and dad Dan Rubenis, little Cole’s safe arrival was all the more meaningful as his brother Hudson was stillborn on 27 September 2021.

Cole was born at 3.26am today and weighed exactly the same as his big brother Hudson – 6 pounds 9 ounces.

Laura, 34, said: “The staff have been amazing with us, and our midwife Debbie Spicer who delivered Cole also delivered Hudson so had a real bond with us.

“Cole is just lovely, we want to munch him all the time, and we will be telling him all about Hudson whose ashes are with us today so he can be part of this special day.”

The Staffordshire couple haven’t had time to do a Christmas shop so their festive lunch will be “interesting” they said!

“But Cole is safe and perfect and nothing else matters,” added Laura.

Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity presented them with a gift to celebrate Cole being the first Christmas Day baby born on 25 December.

Dan, 31, a garage door fitter, and Laura, fundraised to support other bereaved parents who use maternity services at the hospital following the loss of Hudson.

They managed to raise £4,097 and spent £1,760 on a new cuddle cot with the remainder going towards the refurbishment of a bereavement room for other parents.