Cuddle Cot for Tauranga

$2,563 of $5,000 goal

Given by 28 generous donors in around 9 months

This is a charity fundraiser to help raise funds for a cuddle cot for babies who are stillborn or died shortly after birth in Tauranga

Bay of Plenty

Grieving parents will be given the gift of time to bond with and farewell their stillborn babies, thanks to the fundraising efforts of a group of passionate Tauranga women.

About 50 babies are stillborn each year in Tauranga Hospital alone, says Denise Coy, co-ordinator of Sands (pregnancy, baby, and infant loss support) Bay of Plenty.

She says spending time with the baby before it is buried is a vital experience for parents.

Tauranga mother Amy Franz was shocked to hear stories about such parents and the challenges they faced to spend time with their babies while trying to keep their baby's body cold.

"It was definitely a shock. I was so naive. I had a healthy baby. I went in [to hospital] and came out with a baby. You never think about the women who didn't walk out with their baby."

Mrs Franz had the idea of hosting a baby and toddler show as a fundraiser to buy and donate a cuddle cot to the Tauranga Hospital.

The cuddle cot pumps cool water through pipes in a mat under a blanket in a cot, which keeps the body consistently cool and takes away the stress for parents wanting to take their child home for a few days.

Ms Coy said "Moses baskets" with ice packs were provided to parents by the organisation's fundraising. However, a cuddle cot would take away the uncomfortable reality of having to remember to replace the ice packs.

It's not a nice thing to have to think about. The thing about losing a child is that from the time of the birth to the time you bury them is the only time you will ever have with them and make memories with them. The nicer we can make that experience the better.

(Taken from Bay of Plenty Times - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11421618)

Sands Bay of Plenty's involvement (page creator)

The cuddle cot will be donated to Sands Bay of Plenty so we can supply it to Tauranga Families.

About us

Sands Bay of Plenty is a parent-run voluntary non-profit organisation and registered charity which has been set up to support parents and families who have experienced the death of a baby.

Sands Bay of Plenty offers support in Tauranga for families of babies who have died at the time of their loss and for the years to come. We provide newly bereaved parents with gift packs to help create memories with baby, blankets and clothing for baby, and offering support when needed.

We promote baby loss awareness and provide support for those dealing with the death of a baby - during any stage of pregnancy or newborn and infant death.