Ayrshire Maternity Unit (AMU) is deeply grateful to Olivia Bentham and her partner Daniel Young for their extraordinary donation of £10,785 to support the unit’s bereavement services.
In June this year, Olivia and Daniel from Irvine launched their fundraising ‘Giving Back for Bowie’ in honour of their son, Bowie. Alongside some of their family, Bowie’s dad Daniel completed the Scottish Half Marathon raising £6,150. The couple also hosted a charity night held in Bowie’s name during Baby Loss Awareness Week, raising from £4,635.
Olivia said, “We will never forget the care and compassion shown to us by the Ayrshire Maternity Unit Bereavement Team.
“Giving back in Bowie’s name has been our way of honouring him and supporting a service that holds families with dignity and love when they need it most.”
“Thank you to the incredible generosity of our family and friends for supporting and donating. These funds will help ensure other families receive the same compassionate care that carried us through our darkest days.”
Olivia and Daniel’s heartfelt contribution will be used to enhance memory-making opportunities for families experiencing loss, and to help create a dedicated memory garden at the hospital. The garden will offer a peaceful and reflective space for parents and families to remember their babies in a tranquil setting.
The couple also donated 15 books to the Bereavement Team. These books aim to bring a small measure of comfort to other families and help them create their own precious moments with their babies.
Attica Wheeler, Director of Midwifery within Women and Children’s services for NHS Ayrshire & Arran said, “We are incredibly moved by Olivia and Daniel’s generosity and, on behalf of staff at Ayrshire Maternity Unit, would like to express our sincere thanks.
“Their donation will make a lasting difference to families during what is likely to be the most difficult time in their lives. The memory garden and enhanced bereavement support will provide comfort, dignity, and a space for healing.”
The AMU bereavement team works closely with families to provide compassionate care and support, and this donation will significantly strengthen those efforts.
Plans for the memory garden are currently underway, with the aim of creating a serene and meaningful environment that reflects the love and remembrance of every family who passes through the unit.