The baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps has donated an Abi Cooling Cot to the Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital in memory of baby Jasmine.
Families who suffer the tragedy of losing a baby will be able to spend precious time with their baby at the Leicester Royal Infirmary thanks to the donation of an ‘Abi Cooling cot’. Abi Cooling Cot’s keep babies at a cooler temperature meaning that the child can stay with their parents for longer, giving families the chance to grieve and say goodbye in their own time.
The special cot was purchased with funds raised by baby Jasmine’s parents Aimee and Parag Patel who raised over £7,500.
Aimee and Parag welcomed their baby girl Jasmine Poppy, who was born prematurely at 31 weeks and 5 days gestation, in April 2022.
Aimee said, “Jasmine was such a strong little girl and fought her way through the incredibly tough neonatal intensive care unit journey before becoming critically poorly from Sepsis.“
After eleven and a half weeks, Jasmine passed away in July 2022. Aimee and Parag Patel said, “The moment we became your parents Jasmine, you gave us strength and changed our world forever. We are forever proud of you. You continue to bring such positive love and joy to so many lives. You have given us the strength to get through this first year without you. You are always in our heart.”
Aimee continued, “I want to thank Abgail’s Footsteps for the support we received from the charity and especially our counsellor Naomi. Abigail’s Footsteps is a true example of a fantastic charity. I can’t put into words how proud and thankful we are for the cooling cot made in honour and memory of our darling daughter Jasmine. I hope this brings peace, love and precious time to many more families.”
Helen Pegg, Deputy Sister on the neonatal intensive care unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary said, “Thank you to Abigail’s Footsteps and Jasmine’s parents for kindly donating the Abi Cooling Cot to Leicester Royal Infirmary after they sadly lost their beautiful daughter. This cot will allow parents to spend more time with their baby after their passing and we are very grateful to receive it. Sending love to Jasmine’s parents.”
Aimee and Parag welcomed Jasmine’s baby Brother, Orlando, in January. Aimee said, “We feel truly blessed by our darling Jasmine. Orlando is super strong just like his big sister. Orlando is proof that love conquers all and he is the sunshine we needed in our life.”
David Ward, Chief Executive, of Abigail’s Footsteps said, “When we had our daughter Abigail, we only had two or three hours with her. Having to say goodbye so soon was heartbreaking and we knew we had to do something to support other grieving parents. The Abi Cooling Cot that we developed with The Bond Group allows people to have two or three days with their baby if they wish. Abigail’s Footsteps is committed to providing an Abi Cooling Cot to every hospitals in the UK. Each special cot costs £2,800 and thanks to the generosity of those who fundraise for us we have been able to donate over 140 cots to hospitals across the UK.”
To find out more about Abigail’s Footsteps visit www.abigailsfootsteps.co.ukand to discuss how you could help fundraise for an Abi Cooling Cot please contact faye.hill@abigailsfootsteps.co.uk
About the Abi Cooling Cot
Donations allow Abigail’s Footsteps to distribute Abi Cooling cots to hospitals across the country. The Abi Cooling Cot keeps the baby at a cooler temperature meaning that the child can stay with their parents for longer, giving families the chance to grieve and say goodbye in their own time.
The Abi Cot is produced by The Bond Group who are based in Sheerness, Kent and every donated cold cot includes an engraved plaque, in memory of a family’s loss.
www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk/professionals/cold-cots-for-hospitals
About Abigail’s Footsteps
Abigail’s Footsteps is a Kent based baby loss charity providing support and counselling for bereaved parents and families as well as specialist bereavement training for midwives and healthcare professionals.
The charity was founded by parents Jo and David Ward following the death of their daughter Abigail Ward who was stillborn at 41 weeks.
Since 2010, they charity has worked to improve the way bereaved parents are cared for by hospitals and to better educate midwives about how to care for grieving parents. Sadly, stillbirths occur daily, yet many hospitals are not equipped to deal with the parental care required.
By working with medical professionals to understand the issues and seek solutions Abigail’s Footsteps has helped many families across the UK.
