Cuddlecot for Tairāwhiti - in memory of Ollie Black

A CuddleCot, a discrete cooling unit, allows newly bereaved parents & families to spend precious time with their babies before they say goodbye. Not all babies live, some die and this is a heartbreaking loss. At this difficult time parents have enough to deal with.

A cuddle cot allows the family to spend time with their baby. The cuddlecot system cools the baby allowing families to bring their baby home without embalming. It is used in thousands of hospitals around the world and beginning to be used in more and more hospitals in New Zealand.

There is currently no cuddlecot available at Gisborne Hospital or in the Tairāwhiti region.

A cuddlecot is manufactured and imported from England, with shipping they cost nearly $5000. This cuddlecot will be gifted to Gisborne Hospital, if the target is exceeded funds will go to purchase another cuddlecot for up the coast.

The inspiration for this cuddlecot comes from the life of Oliver Black.

Ollie was born at Gisborne Hospital on the 17th February 2011 and died two days later.

Ollie’s family Rae, Andrew, Abi and Theo Black support this initiative and do so in loving memory of their precious son and brother. Rae and Andrew will forever treasure their time together with Ollie before his final farewell and believe it is important to give other families the option of spending time with their babies before burial or cremation.

If you would like to support this cause in memory of Ollie or a baby you are remembering and help bring this resource to our community, your donation will be gratefully received.