Bereaved parents in Wakefield are able to spend more time with little ones after death with the donation of a CuddleBlanket
Bereaved families in Wakefield, Northern England, will benefit from the donated blanket which gives the gift of precious time with a loved one after they have died.
CuddleBlankets are insulated blankets that use cold to help preserve the body of a loved one and give families a longer period to spend with them.
Following the death of their daughter, Maggie Pearl Parsons, in 2015, Sarah Bernasconi-Parsons and her husband Mark launched Maggie’s Stillbirth Legacy to raise money for CuddleBlankets and CuddleCots for older children and infants to donate to trusts and organisations across the UK.
Sarah said: “When our daughter died, the CuddleCot meant that we could have three days with Maggie to create precious memories. Finding out that not every family had access to CuddleCots was quite upsetting.”
The trust, which also runs Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, and hospitals in Pontefract and Dewsbury, has a CuddleCot which is suitable for children up to two years old.
Sarah Boron, Lead Nurse for child death and bereavement support at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, contacted Sarah following researching ways to support families that have lost an older child, to find out more about CuddleBlankets.
Sarah Bernasconi-Parsons added: “When Sarah Boron contacted me to ask questions about the blanket it was brilliant timing – I had almost reached my target to purchase my next blanket and was looking for the next Trust to gift one to. I asked Sarah if they had one – which they didn’t – I said great, I’ll donate one!” To date, Sarah has donated four CuddleBlankets.
Sarah also provides training for staff on how to swiftly, sensitively, and compassionately set up the equipment around the grieving family.
Sarah Boron said: “We’re so grateful to Sarah and Maggie’s Stillbirth Legacy for the amazing equipment she has provided us with. We always try to put parents in mind when dealing with the death of a child, something Sarah is very knowledgeable and passionate about.
“The death of a child is a devastating and traumatic experience for parents. Having access to the Cuddle Blanket will allow families more time to process what has happened and help them start their grieving process.”