A grieving Walsall mum has made a donation to help sick babies after recently losing her own son.
Cassie Gittins, 31, gave birth to son Roman Bailey on 5 January this year after suffering a placenta abruption, where the baby is starved of oxygen.
He had been due on 29 February but Cassie, from Beechdale, suffered heavy bleeding on the day. She was in Walsall Manor Hospital for four days.
Cassie made the brave decision to return to Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust two months to the day since Roman was still born.
She was accompanied by her close friend and former mother-in-law Clare Gittins, 50, also from Beechdale, to make the donation. A total of £162.90 was raised by Roman’s family and friends.
“The money will go towards the care of other poorly babies. I just want to try to save as many babies as possible, so they don’t have to go through what we have been through,” said Cassie.
Cassie says the loss of Roman is helping her other child, son Joey, 10, who has autism, come to terms with challenges.
“He struggles to show emotions but he uses Roman as an inspiration – if there’s something he’s struggling with, he will say ‘I’m nervous about this but I’m doing this for Roman’ so it is helping him,” she added.
“We have made a little shrine to Roman in his bedroom with a little blanket.”
Clare said: “Roman isn’t going to get chance to do all the things he wanted to in life but Joey can do them for him. He will use his brother’s memory as a way of pushing himself.”
Cassie is being supported by partner Ashley Bailey, 36, who has son Jaxson, aged five.
“I have good days and bad days and have had some struggles with anxiety but I think I’m coping well,” she said.
Emma Hackwood, Senior Sister on the Neonatal Unit, said: “This is a lovely thing to do from Cassie.
“It’s really thoughtful of Roman’s family to think of us at this sad time and support premature babies on the unit. I thank Cassie and Clare.
“We need some sensory equipment on the unit so the money will help towards that.”
Georgie Westley, Well Wishers Fundraising Manager, said: “What Cassie has done is such a heartwarming gesture and the money will really help our poorly babies.”