COUPLE FUND PRECIOUS MEMENTOES FOR neonatal families

Heartbeat bears and inkless prints help parents preserve precious memories

A selfless couple who lost their twins Darcie and Lennie after they were born at home at just 23 weeks have ensured other families receive the same precious mementoes of their babies as they did.

Vicki and Jason Taylor have purchased 122 heartbeat bears, 32 miniboos toys, 202 muslin cloths, 73 diaries, 150 inkless print kits and a craft trolley with all the craft items families can use to document their time with their babies on the neonatal unit at James Cook Hospital.

The heartbeat teddy bears are particularly precious, as they include recordings of babies’ heartbeats.

Vicki says the bears they received including Darcie and Lennie’s heartbeats are a great source of comfort, as are the footprints and handprints of their babies they were able to make using inkless print kits – some of which have been turned into jewellery and are carried wherever the family go.

Vicki and Jason raised £2,046 for the items, with more than £500 received in donations at their babies’ funeral and £1,500 raised from the proceeds of a raffle, cake sale and blind cards with the help of their friend Gemma Hamilton, owner of Pure Hair and Beauty in Bishopsgarth.

Vicki said: “The twins were both born at home on the 28th September 2022 at 23 weeks.

“Darcie was 6 days old and Lennie 12 days old when they passed away.”

After the very premature twins were rushed to the neonatal unit at James Cook Hospital, Vicki says staff gave their babies “the best fighting chance that they could have had” while gently encouraging them to make precious memories with them.

“They told us to do some nice things so we’ve got memories,” Vicki said.

“We got inkless prints of the babies’ hands and feet and have all the nice things.

“It’s been nice to go back there with something for the unit and other families, so other parents will get the same things we got.

“It just feels so nice to be able to give something back.”

Lennie and Darcie were both blessed on the unit, with Vicki’s brother and sister-in-law, who spent a lot of time with them in hospital, named as Godparents.

Vicki says the family had “no experience” of the level of care provided on a neonatal unit before they went in with Lennie and Darcie.

They were particularly touched when they received a heartbeat bear for both of them.

Vicki says: “For us to be able to have that heartbeat of our babies who have passed away to keep forever and to listen to, because they were here with us, brings a lot of comfort.”

For that reason, the couple were determined to ensure other families had the same access to such precious mementoes, which can only be provided thanks to donations through Our Hospitals Charity, as the NHS does not cover the cost of such items.

“If these things weren’t available, it would be a missed opportunity and it would be sad really,” Vicki said:

“People say, ‘you’re so strong and you’ve done so well raising all this money,’ but for us, we just wanted to give something back, to say ‘thank you’ for looking after our babies.”

Vicki also praised the generosity of family and friends with their fundraising efforts.

“We had over 60 prizes to give away for the raffle, donated by friends, family and colleagues,” she said.

“I think it’s close to everyone’s heart – it just hit everyone. “Everyone wanted to help and I think somewhere deep down we all got some strength from it.”

The James Cook Hospital Neonatal Charitable Fund helps us to provide treatment and care over and above what the NHS would routinely provide.

People’s generous donations really do make a huge difference to both staff and families, funding everything from creating a tranquil and relaxing outdoor space where people can take a break from the busy ward, to the latest medical or technical equipment.

Some of the things the fund has provided over the years include memory boxes and keepsakes for families of babies who have sadly passed away, as well as family rooms, cooling mats and other equipment. Funds also go towards improving our parents’ accommodation as well as for the further education of our staff.

The Little Things Have The Biggest Impact On Making Our Families Feel Well Cared For How To Donate

If you would like to make a donation or if you are interested in doing some fundraising for us then please contact the unit directly on 01642 854871 or our charitable funds team on 01642 854469 or 01642 855783 for further advice.

You can also visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/JCNCF

JustGiving.com/campaign/JCNCF