Honouring Oliver Lee Green Bereaved Parents Donate CuddleCots to St Bernard’s Hospital in Gibraltar to Support Grieving Families
In a deeply moving act of generosity and love, local couple Jessica Acris and Jason Green have donated two CuddleCots and over £5,000 in funds to St Bernard’s Hospital’s maternity ward in memory of their stillborn son, Oliver Lee Green.
Oliver Lee Green was born still on February 20th, just one day before his due date. In the midst of their heartbreak, Jessica and Jason discovered that the hospital did not have access to a CuddleCot, specialist equipment that allows bereaved families to spend precious time with their baby after death. CuddleCots gently cool the baby’s body, giving families the time they need to say goodbye, create memories, and begin the grieving process together.
Determined that no other family should face such loss without the opportunity for those final moments, Jessica and Jason launched a GoFundMe campaign with the aim of raising funds for a single CuddleCot. What followed was an extraordinary outpouring of support from the local community and from Wales, where Mr Green is originally from. In total, they raised more than £10,000.
Last week, surrounded by close family and friends in the hospital garden, the couple formally donated two CuddleCots and presented a cheque for over £5,000 to the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA). The funds will be used to enhance bereavement care on the maternity ward, including the hospital’s serenity room, a space designated for grieving families.
Jessica described the experience as one filled with “mixed emotions: happy, grateful, sad.” She added, “Everything that we’re doing is all for him.” She also expressed deep gratitude to everyone who donated, saying she hoped the cots would never need to be used.
After the formal presentation, the family visited the maternity ward for a private moment where the cots were unboxed. Each unit bears a plaque with Oliver’s name, and Jessica and Jason brought his tiny urn with them so that he too could be present for the moment.
Minister for Health Gemma Arias-Vasquez, GHA Director General Kevin McGee, Medical Director Dr Mark Garcia, Director of Nursing Sandie Gracia, and members of the maternity team were present to receive the donation.
“This donation means so much to us,” said Mr McGee. “Maternity care is often joyful, but when tragedy strikes, having these cuddle cots gives families the chance to spend a little more time with their baby. It’s an act of kindness that will bring solace to parents, grandparents, and extended family alike.”
Minister Arias-Vasquez echoed this sentiment, thanking the couple and emphasising that while everyone hopes these CuddleCots will rarely be used, they are an invaluable resource when needed.
Through their grief, Jessica and Jason have created a lasting legacy for Oliver, one that will offer comfort, time, and dignity to other families facing the unimaginable. Their courage and compassion are a testament to the enduring power of love.
To learn more about how to donate a CuddleCot please contact info@cuddlecot.com
