HOSPITAL staff have launched a major appeal to raise £60,000 to create a new maternity bereavement suite.

Based in the maternity unit at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the suite will provide a private place for parents of stillborn children, or children who died after birth, to begin their grieving process.

The money will be used to convert an existing room into a space with a kitchen and access into the memorial garden.

It will support the Worcester-based hospital’s existing bereavement facility, the Fay Turner Suite, which will also be refurbished.

Trudy Berlet, bereavement support midwife at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We know from the conversations we have with parents how important these facilities are – a space for mothers, partners and family to go, away from the noise and bustle of the nearby maternity ward.

“We are very fortunate to have already received huge support from the local community and have £10,000 already in the fund towards these works.

“Now we are looking for an extra £50,000 so that we can go ahead with the works required to provide an additional suite as soon as possible.”

Becky Yarranton and her partner Paul Dancyger, from Stourport-on-Severn, are supporting the campaign.

The couple used the existing facilities, following the stillbirth of their son Henry in January 2016.

“The Fay Turner Suite provided a space for our family to see Henry, and for us to say goodbye to him,” said Ms Yarranton.

“We stayed for two days – although at all times it was made clear that we could stay as long as we wanted to. It meant so much to us that our family could come and see Henry, and the staff couldn’t do enough for us.”

Mr Dancyger added: “The suite gave us some privacy to be with our loved ones, away from the busy atmosphere of the hospital. Henry was bought to us in a cuddle cot - he was perfect, just like his older brother Max. Then when the time was right we said our goodbyes. Without those two days we’d have nothing to remember him by. Thank you to the staff at the hospital who were so compassionate and caring. It can’t heal the pain but it helped build real memories.”

To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/worcestershire-maternity-bereavement-suite

Alternatively, text £AMOUNT, with the code WMBS60, to 70070.

For information about hosting a fundraising event call 01905 760453 or visit worcsacute.nhs.uk/about-us/fundraising/