Dad raises big funds for Southend Hospital in memory of his baby

As we marked Baby Loss Awareness Week a father raised thousands of pounds for a space which offers privacy and dignity to grieving families in hospital who suffer the loss of a baby.

Josh Day and his brother-in-law Daryl, from Rochford, raised over £3,600 as they completed the Goodwood half marathon, and donated the funds to the Butterfly Suite at Southend Hospital. This was where Josh and his wife Danielle stayed for the night when their baby, born at 20 weeks, received care from the maternity bereavement team.

The Butterfly Suite is a welcoming room for bereaved parents experiencing baby loss which has been designed to comfort them by providing a tranquil space where they can rest and spend time with their child.

Josh said: “Like so many parents following loss, we didn’t even realise that the suite existed.

“We couldn’t have asked for more from the level of care and support provided by the team – everyone really went above and beyond for us both.”

Amanda Cushing, Specialist Bereavement Midwife at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said “We are so grateful to Josh and Daryl for their amazing support for the Butterfly Suite. They both did an amazing job in completing this challenge to allow us to do great things for others in the future.

“The money which they so generously donated will support other bereaved parents. It’ll allow us to continue to offer parents comfort and support materials at such a devastating time”.