Cribs for babies who pass away prematurely
Donation protected
We are hoping to raise money to provide little cribs for babies born too soon in Northern Ireland who pass away in hospital from miscarriage, stillbirth or who are premature.
My name is Lesley-Ann and in 2019 I set up Cherish Cribs on Facebook after the death of my dear friend’s beautiful baby. He was called Ben. Ben was premature and he lived for 3 weeks in a neonatal unit before sadly passing away unexpectedly with a sudden infection. On leaving hospital, Bens mummy and daddy were offered a cardboard box to transport baby Ben’s remains in, on the long car journey home. This must have been incredibly heartbreaking and traumatic, and have greatly add to the pain of losing their baby. We were never aware this could happen to babies, but sadly it does and there is no real alternative provision for these smaller babies.
Along with my family - my mum, sister (even my dad has been known to lend a hand), we have been lovingly sewing and making bespoke cribs and donating them to hospitals for babies lost too soon during pregnancy, or after a premature birth. We have largely been funding these ourselves, but the demand in Northern Ireland has become so great that we need more help.
Our cribs aim to provide dignity for babies during their stay in hospital and on their journey home. In addition, full term birth cots used in hospitals are often too big for these very precious babies and our cribs provide a more appropriate size. The cribs also enable mothers to have their baby close beside them in their hospital bed. Likewise, they can play a very important part in helping parents create treasured memories via photographs before they say their final goodbyes. Our cribs gently help in a practical way, like for Baby Ben - by providing bereaved parents who decide to take their baby’s remains home with a means to carry them in. Importantly they can also act as a keepsake for grieving parents to have forever and to remember; and to provide comfort to bereaved parents knowing that their baby was cared for in its own special wee crib.
We are hoping to raise £4000 to provide these cribs in all 11 maternity hospitals in Northern Ireland and to several maternity hospitals in the Republic of Ireland that have contacted us. To date we have donated 85 cribs - but many more are needed. Our goal is to use any money rasied to buy 500 additional cribs (or more if we can), and purchase fabric for cuddle blankets, and cuddle wraps for the babies for whom premature clothing is not of the appropriate size for them.
These babies are so special and the grief parents face is immeasurable. Both bereaved parents and hospital staff and Midwives have told us the cribs are lifechanging, deeply appreciated, and comforting to families going through the trauma of losing a very precious baby. We are hoping the public will help to rally around to help us raise funds and also create awareness of the importance of these babies lost too soon and the dignity they should receive.
We are ever thankful to you for your support. If you can help us by donating (no matter how small), we are so, so grateful and we know it will make such a difference.
Kind wishes, Lesley-Ann and family X X X
Our Facebook page
An example of one of our cribs
Mum adding a piece of lace
Our cribs getting prepared for local hospitals.
Bereavement Midwife Oonagh receiving cribs for her hospital.
Staff (Imelda, Noelene, Josie and Shivaun) in the Southern Trust receiving Cherish Cribs during the recent pandemic.
My name is Lesley-Ann and in 2019 I set up Cherish Cribs on Facebook after the death of my dear friend’s beautiful baby. He was called Ben. Ben was premature and he lived for 3 weeks in a neonatal unit before sadly passing away unexpectedly with a sudden infection. On leaving hospital, Bens mummy and daddy were offered a cardboard box to transport baby Ben’s remains in, on the long car journey home. This must have been incredibly heartbreaking and traumatic, and have greatly add to the pain of losing their baby. We were never aware this could happen to babies, but sadly it does and there is no real alternative provision for these smaller babies.
Along with my family - my mum, sister (even my dad has been known to lend a hand), we have been lovingly sewing and making bespoke cribs and donating them to hospitals for babies lost too soon during pregnancy, or after a premature birth. We have largely been funding these ourselves, but the demand in Northern Ireland has become so great that we need more help.
Our cribs aim to provide dignity for babies during their stay in hospital and on their journey home. In addition, full term birth cots used in hospitals are often too big for these very precious babies and our cribs provide a more appropriate size. The cribs also enable mothers to have their baby close beside them in their hospital bed. Likewise, they can play a very important part in helping parents create treasured memories via photographs before they say their final goodbyes. Our cribs gently help in a practical way, like for Baby Ben - by providing bereaved parents who decide to take their baby’s remains home with a means to carry them in. Importantly they can also act as a keepsake for grieving parents to have forever and to remember; and to provide comfort to bereaved parents knowing that their baby was cared for in its own special wee crib.
We are hoping to raise £4000 to provide these cribs in all 11 maternity hospitals in Northern Ireland and to several maternity hospitals in the Republic of Ireland that have contacted us. To date we have donated 85 cribs - but many more are needed. Our goal is to use any money rasied to buy 500 additional cribs (or more if we can), and purchase fabric for cuddle blankets, and cuddle wraps for the babies for whom premature clothing is not of the appropriate size for them.
These babies are so special and the grief parents face is immeasurable. Both bereaved parents and hospital staff and Midwives have told us the cribs are lifechanging, deeply appreciated, and comforting to families going through the trauma of losing a very precious baby. We are hoping the public will help to rally around to help us raise funds and also create awareness of the importance of these babies lost too soon and the dignity they should receive.
We are ever thankful to you for your support. If you can help us by donating (no matter how small), we are so, so grateful and we know it will make such a difference.
Kind wishes, Lesley-Ann and family X X X
Our Facebook page
An example of one of our cribs Mum adding a piece of lace Our cribs getting prepared for local hospitals.
Bereavement Midwife Oonagh receiving cribs for her hospital.Staff (Imelda, Noelene, Josie and Shivaun) in the Southern Trust receiving Cherish Cribs during the recent pandemic.
Organizer
Lesley-Ann Black
Organizer