Mum's campaign racing to target

FAMILY: Courtney Percy with stillborn child Beau, partner Nick Olson and daughter Lily. PHOTO/SUPPLY

A cot with a cooling system to preserve a stillborn child at home for grieving families has received "overwhelming" support from a Wairarapa fundraising project.

As of yesterday, more than $4000 had been raised to provide Wairarapa Hospital with a Cuddle Cot that will help parents spend precious last moments with their stillborn babies.

Masterton's Courtney Percy, who created the "A Cuddle for Beau" Givealittle donations page last week, had been overwhelmed with the flood of community support over such a short timeframe.

Courtney, her partner Nick Olson and daughter Lily had their worlds change when on January 30, their boy Beau Patrick Olson was stillborn at 36 weeks.

The midwives at Wairarapa Hospital provided ice packs and gave the family the option to take Beau home to place in his bassinet.

Though this care was sufficient for the family, Courtney said changing ice packs is the last thing parents need or want to think about in the situation.

It was then that she realised the need for a cuddle cot in Wairarapa Hospital for the parents of stillborn children to use in order to spend precious moments together in the comfort of their own home.

The Cuddle Cot is a cooling system that fits inside a bassinet and is used to preserve stillborn babies. It costs $5000 and is imported from Britain.

"It allows grieving parents the opportunity to be able to take home their babies and spend as much time as possible with their newborn - to take pictures, hold their newborns, create memories and grieve for their loss," she said.

The donations page had received support that had left Courtney speechless. She gave the project at least six months for it to reach the $5000 target.

"I actually cannot describe it and how I feel," she said.

"Cuddle Cots are not really a heard of thing in Wairarapa but there are ones getting around in the bigger towns and cities."

"At least if we get one here, if the same thing happens to someone else, it will be easier for them and their family."

Businesses have jumped on board the campaign with the project including The Sanctuary, Hebe Designer Boutique, Mitre 10 and Wairarapa Hunting and Fishing, pledging to donate items to raise more money.

To donate go to A Cuddle For Beau Givealittle page.