In Memory of Molly

Emma and Barry realised every parent's worst fears when their baby daughter, Molly, died just 29 hours after she was born. Losing Molly and trying to cope with the grief led them to search for ways to mark her short life. From their experience they realised that what bereaved parents often need is a safe and comfortable environment in the hospital, where they can start to come to terms with their loss by spending as much time as they need with their child.

After speaking with hospital staff, it was agreed that Emma and Barry would set up Molly's Nightingale Fund to fundraise for Molly's Room, which will be a sanctuary for bereaved parents to grieve and say their goodbyes in private.

Barry says, “Social conditioning says that death isn't about amazement and wonder, it's a sad goodbye. Emma and I hadn't had a proper chance to say hello before we had to say goodbye to Molly. Given the opportunity we would have just stared at her for hours - indeed that was what we needed to do.

“The time we spent with her was the most precious of both our lives, but it could have been longer and with more comfort and privacy.

“Losing a child is not the natural order and a parent won't or can't believe it, not in the instant it happens. Our drive to give parents in this position a facility that might make this period easier to bear and, in years to come, one to treasure, is tied in with our grieving process. It is something we need to do and we hope Molly's Room will help many others.”