A COUPLE whose first-born child was stillborn have raised funds for equipment to help other families affected by baby loss.

Stewart and Laura Hulme lost their first-born son Ollie Poppyseed Hulme after he was stillborn at 26 weeks and one day at Warrington Hospital in May last year.

While the pair were able to make keepsakes including handprints and footprints in the hospital's Butterfly Suite, a CuddleCot - which would have allowed them to spend more time with Ollie - was unavailable as it was already being used by another family.

The couple, from Lowton, have since been raising funds to donate a new CuddleCot to Warrington Hospital in his memory.

Stewart and Laura, aged 29 and 28 respectively, said: "Being able to do something in Ollie's memory to help other families in a similar position is really important to us.

"We've had amazing support from the trust staff as well as family, friends and colleagues throughout and its nice to see that our fundraising has reached its goal."

Laura and Stewart, who welcomed their second son Toby into the world in April, managed to raise more than £3,000 in order to donate a CuddleCot in Ollie's memory through events including a tea party.

Meanwhile, another family have donated a third CuddleCot to the hospital as a lasting legacy to their baby.

A CuddleCot keeps the baby cool and slows down natural changes in order to allow families longer to spend with their stillborn child.

The cooling pad can be placed in a stillborn baby's Moses basket, cot, pram or bed.

Debbie Yates, bereavement support sister at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: "We are overwhelmed by the generosity that Stewart and Laura have shown fundraising for the maternity unit.

"Not every hospital has a CuddleCot and not all families want to use the CuddleCot.

"To now have three is ideal, as sadly there are times when the CuddleCot is needed for more than one family.

"This donation will ensure that all families have the choice of using a cuddle cot wherever it is needed within the hospital and facilitate care in the community for those families who wish to take their baby home."