Following the loss of their son to sepsis in 2015, Hayley and Mark Jermyn organised a fundraising event to buy key rings and teddy bears for bereaved parents and siblings who have lost babies.

Charlie Jermyn was only 29 hours old when he died. Even though Hayley and Mark were given footprints, handprints and a lock of Charlie’s hair from the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) following his death, the couple felt extras should also be available to parents to help with the bereavement process, so decided to hold an event to raise money to buy these items.

“We held a family fun day at Raise the Roof in Penryn in August 2017, which included an auction, featuring prizes such as rugby tickets and spa days, as well as face painting for children,” said Hayley. “Raise the Roof kindly gave us their venue free of charge and we were over the moon to raise £1,600 to go towards purchasing memory items.”

After discussions with RCHT’s maternity services, Hayley and Mark found the charity Heart in their Hands who designed three different key rings (pink, blue and neutral), as well as bears for siblings which include a tag saying ‘sister/ brother to an angel.’

Presented in beautiful hampers and including a label "a gift from Charlie Jermyn," Hayley and Mark were delighted to hand these over to key people from the hospital’s maternity services, neonatal unit, bereavement office, as well as the emergency department.

“The silver key rings are for bereaved parents and include a small silver heart, which will be placed with the baby, to help make parents feel connected with their child, wherever they go in life,” said Hayley. “Hopefully these little extras will act as a comfort to parents who have gone through similar situations to us.”

Angela Whittaker, matron for maternity services, said: “The key rings and teddies are so beautiful, they will I’m sure, provide some source of comfort to for bereaved parents. I personally feel Hayley and Mark are so brave to think of others who have also lost babies and it is truly wonderful what they have done for the team at Royal Cornwall Hospital.”

Hayley, who lives in Penryn and has three other children, Harry, Lottie and Molly, said: "As a family walking the long path of grief, having to bury our baby way too soon, we found comfort in hearing from other families who have experienced similar loss. We hope the key rings and bears will provide some connection with the baby and their family forever."