Sienna’s Legacy – Hayley’s Journey of Love, Loss, and Hope

On the 19th of January 2025, Hayley and her partner’s world was forever changed when their beautiful daughter, Sienna, was born sleeping. Out of unimaginable heartbreak came a mission of love to ensure other families in Spain have access to CuddleCots, the unique cooling device that give parents precious extra time with their pre or full-term babies after loss in any cot or in parent’s arms.

Through courage, honesty and tireless dedication, Hayley has transformed her grief into action by creating Sienna’s Legacy. Her goal is simple but powerful: to help families make memories that last a lifetime.

Listen to Hayley’s interview with Talk Radio Europe:

Q: Can you tell us a little about Sienna and your journey?

A: Sienna’s Story – Our Journey

On the 3rd of September 2024, I found out I was having a little girl. My partner and I had already chosen her name long before – Sienna. Earlier that year, in February, we had lost our first baby at 14 weeks. We had always believed we would one day have a little girl, and her name would always be Sienna.

When we got the news, we were over the moon. I shared my pregnancy openly on social media – bump photos, videos, my excitement growing with every week. I couldn’t wait to finally become Sienna’s mummy.

But on the 19th of January 2025, at 40 weeks and 3 days, Sienna was born sleeping due to a cord incident. She was, and will always be, the most beautiful and perfect little girl I’ve ever seen. In her short time Earthside, she has left a mark on the world in ways I could never have imagined.

That day began with joy – my waters broke, and I felt her moving. I was texting everyone, excited to welcome her into the world. But during labour, her head pressed against her cord, cutting off her oxygen. I began bleeding heavily. By the time I reached the hospital, there was only a faint heartbeat. I was rushed for a crash C-section, but during the surgery my lung collapsed, and I was placed in an induced coma.

When I woke up the next day, Sienna was gone. The hospital in Spain didn’t have a CuddleCot – a special cooling device and pad that allows families to spend precious extra time with their baby after they have passed. My family cared for and held her for her first four hours, but without a CuddleCot, I never got to wake up and have her by my side.

Because of my collapsed lung, I couldn’t travel the three hours to Malaga-Vélez to see her, and no one could bring her to me. Four days later, I discharged myself so I could finally hold my little girl. That hour in the chapel of rest was the most heartbreaking and the most beautiful hour of my life.

From the moment I learned what had happened, I knew I wanted to make a difference. I understood, deeply, how vital a CuddleCot could be. It would have given me time – to process, to hold her, to let my friends and family meet her, to create memories I will now never have.

That’s why, on the 3rd of March 2025, after weeks of being in a very dark place, I decided to pour my grief into something positive. Sienna’s Legacy was born – a mission to provide CuddleCots to hospitals and give other families the precious time with their babies that we were denied.

Sienna may not be here physically, but her legacy will continue to bring comfort, connection, and love to families when they need it most.

Q: What inspired you to start fundraising for CuddleCots?

A: The idea to raise money for CuddleCots came to me almost immediately after I came out of my coma. I was still heavily medicated, but even in that fog, I remember talking to my family about wanting to make a difference. My own experience in the hospital had shown me how far Spain still has to go when it comes to handling stillbirth — from bedside manner to aftercare, everything felt behind and, at times, painfully lacking.

As I lay in my hospital bed, I began searching online for CuddleCots in Spain. That’s when I found an article about a woman named Natalie, who had donated one to Costa del Sol Hospital. I reached out to her, even while still in hospital, and also contacted a few companies that make them, like the Abigail CuddleCot. The more I researched, the more my eyes were opened to what could have been — the extra time I could have had with my daughter, Sienna.

If a CuddleCot had been available, my friends and family could have met her. I could have held her for longer. Instead, I only had about an hour with her in the Chapel of Rest. She had already been dressed by someone else. I was even told I couldn’t hold her — but when they left the room, I took her out of the box myself. I never saw her belly button, her little bottom, never got to bathe her or brush her hair.

We took photos, but now I wish I’d taken videos. I wish I’d been able to walk around with her, to kiss her more, to have just a little more time. A CuddleCot would have made that possible.

That’s when I decided I wanted to make big changes to the system here in Spain — to be loud with my grief, and loud in raising awareness. That’s how Sienna’s Legacy was born. Natalie guided me through the logistics — from costs to navigating Spanish customs — and from that point on, I knew I would do everything I could to get CuddleCots into more hospitals here.

Q: How do you fundraise and raise awareness in Spain?

A: Fundraising and Raising Awareness in Spain – The Sienna Legacy Story

When I first set up the Sienna Legacy Facebook page, I never imagined the outpouring of generosity that would follow. I shared my story from the heart — from the time Sienna was in my tummy to the heartbreak of losing her. She captured the hearts of both our local Spanish community and my online friends and family. People connected deeply, and donations began arriving almost immediately.

From the start, I was blessed with incredible support. A close friend here in Spain made a large donation that allowed us to purchase and donate our first cuddle cot, setting everything in motion. From there, we embraced every opportunity to raise funds and awareness.

We’ve hosted live music nights in local bars, complete with head shaves and leg waxes to draw a crowd. We’ve organised ladies’ brunches with raffle prizes, retreats, and community events. Friends have run marathons, both here and in the UK, to support our cause. Beauty businesses back in England have even run their own raffles in our name.

One initiative especially close to my heart is the comfort boxes we make for mothers in hospital — small, thoughtful gifts for families facing the unimaginable. On social media, I invited people to sponsor a box in memory of someone they love, and 25 were sponsored almost instantly.

To date, we have donated five cuddle cots, but the work doesn’t stop there. I actively approach local newspapers and TV stations, and I use social media daily to raise awareness about stillbirth, breaking the taboo and starting important conversations. I have spoken openly on television about miscarriage, stillbirth, and the importance of cuddle cots.

For me, raising awareness is as important as fundraising. Speaking about Sienna — telling her story — keeps her memory alive and ensures her legacy continues to make an impact. It sparks conversations about a topic many women endure in silence. The love and support I’ve received from both the Spanish community and friends abroad have been nothing short of extraordinary.

We have lots of ideas , events coming up ie: wave of light walk, retreat days , more local events 

Sienna’s legacy is more than a name — it is action, compassion, and change, one CuddleCot, one comfort box, and one conversation at a time.

Q: What impact have the CuddleCots you’ve funded had so far?

A: Impact of the CuddleCots Funded So Far

Over the past six months, we have donated five CuddleCots to hospitals. While we haven’t received much direct feedback from these hospitals yet, and as far as we know, the CuddleCots have not been used — which is the best possible outcome — their presence is already making an important impact.

One notable effect is a growing interest from more hospitals and healthcare providers, both public and private, who are reaching out to be placed on waiting lists for future donations. This suggests a rising awareness of the need for such facilities.

In Spain, and broadly elsewhere, many women are deeply invested in their birth plans, aiming to create the best possible experience. Thanks to ongoing awareness efforts, many expectant mothers now actively consider whether their chosen hospital has a CuddleCot available as part of their birth plan. Rather than avoiding the possibility of a worst-case scenario, families are increasingly facing it head-on and seeking the right care and support.

From my personal experience, especially now being pregnant again, this awareness is crucial. It empowers mothers to make informed choices, often favoring hospitals equipped with CuddleCots. This shift in patient expectations is prompting more hospitals to recognize the importance of having these facilities and providing compassionate care for families facing loss.

Ultimately, the impact of these donations goes beyond just the equipment — it fosters greater education, awareness, and compassionate support within the maternity care community.

Q: What does it mean to you personally to see Sienna’s name attached to these donations?

A: To me personally, seeing Sienna’s name attached to these donations is incredibly powerful and deeply emotional. It fills me with immense pride to be her mummy. Even though she may no longer be here with us, her name on the CuddleCot box is a lasting reminder of the beautiful mark she has left on this world.

Sienna is, and always will be, the most powerful and beautiful little girl. Her absence doesn’t diminish her impact—in fact, it amplifies it. Through these donations, her legacy lives on by touching the lives of countless families. I like to imagine her up there, waiting with open arms for all the beautiful babies yet to come, watching over them and their families with the same love and warmth she inspires in all of us.

Sienna’s story continues to bring comfort, hope, and strength to others, and that is the most precious gift she could ever leave behind.

Q: How have people responded to your mission?

A: I’ve been truly blown away by the incredible support and love shown toward Sienna’s legacy and everything it represents. Sienna has touched so many hearts, and what moves me the most is seeing people open themselves up—educating themselves and overcoming the fear or discomfort around seeing photos of a deceased baby. They’re learning to see the profound beauty in those images, honoring the child’s life, whether they’re with us or not.

I’ve been using my social media platforms, especially TikTok, to spread awareness and education. One of our TikToks reached nearly 19 million views! The comments were overwhelmingly from people who either knew what a cuddle was and had experienced it, wished they had, or those who had never heard of it before but now do. It’s been amazing to see that ripple effect of awareness.

Of course, there are always a few people who don’t understand the importance of spending extra time with your child after they’ve passed or who don’t share the same perspective. I’ve received some hurtful comments and backlash from a small minority. But honestly, that doesn’t phase me anymore. I know my work is making a difference—helping families, educating communities, and honoring Sienna’s memory. That’s all that matters. Everything I do is for Sienna and for families who need that support.

Q: What would you say to other families considering fundraising in memory of their baby?

A: Advice to Families Considering Fundraising in Memory of Their Baby

If you’re thinking about raising funds for a CuddleCot in memory of your baby, my advice is simple: 100% go for it. Fundraising, no matter the amount, makes a meaningful difference. Whether you raise £100 or £100,000, your efforts will have an impact and help other families during their most difficult times.

One important piece of advice I’d offer is to stay in your own lane. It’s easy to get caught up comparing yourself to others — wondering if you’re doing enough or if someone else has a bigger following or more resources. But the truth is, there’s no one way to do this, and no one’s journey looks the same. Focus on what you can do, no matter how big or small it seems.

Honouring your baby through fundraising is a beautiful choice, but it’s also okay if you decide not to. There is no right or wrong way to remember your child.

On a personal note, fundraising became a vital part of my healing process. It gave me a focus, a reason to get up each day, and a way to channel my energy into something positive. Knowing that Sienna’s life wasn’t in vain, and that her legacy will continue to help other families, has been incredibly comforting. It’s deeply rewarding and has helped me find meaning and hope amidst the grief.

Q: What’s next for your work? Do you have more goals for expanding CuddleCot access in Spain?

A: What’s Next for CuddleCot Access in Spain?

Currently, our focus is on securing CuddleCot number 6. Since the heartbreaking loss of Sienna, I’ve gradually returned to work and recently discovered I’m pregnant with our little miracle baby. While I’m not putting as much energy into fundraising as I did initially—when it was my full-time commitment—I haven’t slowed down completely. I’ve eased up to allow space for self-care and to nurture this pregnancy, balancing personal well-being with ongoing efforts.

I continue to share daily updates on the Sienna’s Legacy page and am excited for the upcoming Wave of Light walk in October. Right now, I’m relying more on the incredible support of others in the community who have stepped up to help with fundraising and organizing events. This includes heartfelt gestures like people requesting donations to Sienna’s Legacy for their birthdays and even brides organizing collections at their weddings.

Once the baby arrives safely, I plan to dedicate much more energy to fundraising throughout next year, including events around Christmas and Sienna’s birthday in January. For now, I’m letting the fundraising progress naturally with the wonderful help from the community, trusting that together we’ll continue to expand access to CuddleCots in Spain.

Our Long-Term Vision

Our mission is simple yet deeply important:

Every hospital in Spain should have a CuddleCot. Every hospital should be educated in bereavement care and in supporting families through the unimaginable loss of a child.

We are working to ensure that:

• CuddleCots are available in every hospital – so families can have precious, unhurried moments with their baby.

• Bereavement training becomes standard – equipping hospital staff with the sensitivity, knowledge, and compassion needed to care for grieving parents.

• Comfort kits reach more hospitals – including those that already have CuddleCots, so families receive emotional and practical support right away.

• Specialist services are accessible – from professional photographers to capture a family’s first and last moments together, to online counselling and emotional support resources in English or Spanish.

• Meaningful keepsakes and memories are preserved – I personally offer my skills as a content creator to film and document a baby’s funeral for families who wish to have that lasting memory.

• Aftercare systems are improved – hospitals can implement flags in patient records to prevent distressing, insensitive questions, and ensure mums receive appropriate follow-up care, referrals, and counselling.

We envision a future where hospitals feel confident and prepared to walk alongside bereaved families, offering compassion instead of awkward silence, and where families know they are not alone.

Even if people may never want to think about a CuddleCot until tragedy strikes, we want to make sure that, should that day come, every family and every hospital understands its importance.

We will keep going until every hospital in Spain has a CuddleCot — and until the term “CuddleCot” is known, understood, and valued for the gift of time it offers.

Thank you, Cuddle Cot, for giving families those moments that mean everything.

Sienna’s story is one of love, and her name will continue to live on through every CuddleCot donated in her memory. Thanks to Hayley’s bravery in speaking openly about her experience, more families will be able to hold their babies, create keepsakes and find comfort in having time together.

We are so grateful to Hayley for everything she is doing to raise awareness in Spain and beyond. Sienna’s Legacy is already changing lives and bringing hope to families when they need it most.

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Free healthcare online modules and toolkit at: cuddlecot.com/training