Charity set up in memory of baby helps 50 families
Leila and Barry Hobart set up Little Wings of Hope in memory of their son Oscar, who lived for just a few hours after arriving prematurely at 23 weeks.
"When we came out of hospital, we searched for help and support and found there was such a lack," Ms Hobart said, from Witham in Essex.
A sponsored walk up Snowdon, in Gwynedd, Wales, recently raised nearly £13,000 for the charity, which is "a life-changing amount of money" for it, she said.
"It'll enable us to continue our work and help that next family who will sadly lose their baby - and keep Oscar's legacy alive."
The charity has been running since January 2024 and now supports bereaved parents in Suffolk, Norfolk, Kent and Cambridgeshire, as well as Essex.
'Just too little'
Ms Hobart, a first-time mother, "didn't think I'd be walking out of the hospital with a box rather than my baby".
Oscar arrived prematurely in July 2023 at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital and, despite the best efforts of the "amazing" medical team, he "was just too little" to survive more than a few hours, she said.
"I'll always be so grateful for that time I had with Oscar, but I'm also mindful that other families don't get that opportunity to hold their babies for as long to see them breathe," she said.
"We had that time to make those memories, to speak to him to let him know that we loved him, that he was loved."
Within a month, the couple were trying to set up a charity to provide the sort of support they would have appreciated themselves from others going through it.
Jasmine and Owen, who live near Norwich, lost their son Sunny two months ago, when Jasmine was 38 weeks pregnant.
"It's like a bad dream, a nightmare that you couldn't wake up from, and everything stops around you," said Jasmine.
Owen had to break the news to their six-year-old son Harry and said: "I'll never forget having that conversation with him - life changed for us and it will always be different."
Jasmine said the support from Little Wings of Hope is making a difference: "They describe it as a hole in your heart - over time the hole gets smaller but it never goes away, and it will always hurt and there will never be a time when you move on you'll never forget."
Baby loss in the UK
13 babies die shortly before during or after birth every day in the UK
At least one in six pregnancies ends in miscarriage
The UK baby death rate is said to be average compared to other European countries
But some countries such as Sweden consistently perform better
Source: Sands & Tommy's Joint Policy Unit
Ms Hobart said these figures were "far bigger than we imagined".
"Over the last 18 months, we have been able to support over 50 families and that for me screams there is a need for support out there for families - this year alone we've had 35 inquiries for help and support," she said.
The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Grandad cycling 250 miles for baby loss charity
'I still haven't spoken to my mum about losing my baby'
Special service will help families mark baby loss
Related internet links
Little Wings of Hope
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Harry left ‘devastated' by boardroom battle at his charity Sentebale
The Duke of Sussex has been left emotionally devastated by the events surrounding the boardroom battle that saw him leave his Sentebale charity, a source has said. The dispute, which prompted Harry to step down as patron in support of trustees who resigned in opposition to board chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka, was described as a 'hostile takeover' by the source. On Tuesday, the Charity Commission published a report into the episode criticising all sides for making the fallout public with interviews and statements, but the war of words has continued. Sentebale appeared to suggest allegations made by Dr Chandauka of bullying, harassment and misogyny at the charity – which the commission found no evidence of – may be pursued against individuals through 'avenues more appropriate'. A source said: 'This has been emotionally absolutely devastating for Prince Harry and (Sentebale co-founder) Prince Seeiso (of Lesotho). What's been perpetrated over the last few months is nothing short of a hostile takeover.' Seeiso also stepped down as patron of the charity which works in Botswana and Lesotho supporting the health and wellbeing of young people, especially those with HIV and Aids. The source added: 'You have to remember Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry started this charity nearly two decades ago to honour the work and continue the legacy of their mothers Queen Mamohato and Princess Diana, and the work that they had done in southern Africa to support those living with HIV and Aids. 'In the 19 years that they have worked with this charity, and a lot of the former board of trustee members, they have raised tens of millions of pounds and distributed tens of millions of pounds.' The commission criticised all parties in the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly and described how all trustees contributed to a 'missed opportunity' to resolve the issues that led to the serious disagreement which risked undermining public trust in charities generally. The regulator, which cannot investigate individual allegations of bullying, found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity but acknowledged 'the strong perception of ill treatment' felt by some involved. After conducting its regulatory compliance case the commission issued a Regulatory Action Plan with Sentebale saying it had complied with the steps, from implementing an internal dispute policy to improving the charity's complaints and whistle-blowing procedures. The trustees who resigned said in a statement they were 'gravely concerned for the future of the charity' adding they were 'disheartened' by the way the regulator had 'chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence raised with them regarding the leadership and oversight of Sentebale's chair'. Sentebale said in statement: 'The Charity Commission is explicitly clear, including in its public guidance, that it is not the commission's responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes. This would include individual allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir etc. 'As a result, the commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry. 'The issues not investigated by the commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the commission.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
The best states to have a baby in 2025 (and the 10 that need to do better)
If you're expecting a baby, where you live can make a big difference in everything from how much you'll pay for delivery to the quality of care your newborn receives. According to WalletHub's just-released 2025 Best & Worst States to Have a Baby report, the average cost of a conventional birth is more than $2,600 for mothers with insurance and nearly $15,000 for those without. For many parents, the financial and logistical realities of birth are prompting a bigger question: What does 'baby-friendly' actually look like when you're the one giving birth? WalletHub analyzed all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 31 factors, including hospital delivery costs, infant care expenses, healthcare access, and the number of pediatricians per capita. The results highlight how different the experience of welcoming a child can be depending on your zip code. The 10 best states to have a baby in 2025 Massachusetts North Dakota Minnesota New Hampshire Maine Rhode Island Vermont Washington Iowa District of Columbia Why Massachusetts leads the list Massachusetts has the third-lowest infant mortality rate, the eighth-lowest maternal mortality rate, and strong parental leave policies. It also ranks high in childhood vaccination rates and food security. For new parents, that translates to better infrastructure, more accessible care, and policy-level support during one of life's most demanding transitions. Related: Where to give birth: Here are your labor and delivery options The 10 hardest states to give birth in While some states are building strong foundations for new parents, others leave families facing significant hurdles from the very start. According to WalletHub's analysis, these are the 10 lowest-ranked states when it comes to birth-related cost, healthcare access, and family support: 42. West Virginia 43. Oklahoma 44. Florida 45. Arkansas 46. New Mexico 47. Georgia 48. South Carolina 49. Nevada 50. Alabama 51. Mississippi Parents in these states often face higher rates of low birth weight, fewer OB-GYNs per capita, and little to no paid leave, all of which can increase stress during pregnancy and postpartum. Why Mississippi leads the list In Mississippi, for example, families navigate some of the highest risks and fewest resources in the country. Consistently limited access to care and support leaves many new parents without the tools they need to feel safe and prepared. Your state can shape your experience—long before and long after delivery The report revealed dramatic differences across the country: South Dakota has the lowest average annual cost for early child care—3.5 times lower than in D.C., which has the highest. That kind of gap can determine whether a parent returns to work out of choice or financial necessity, and whether care is chosen based on quality or affordability. District of Columbia has the most midwives and OB-GYNs per capita. More access means less time on waitlists, more flexibility in choosing providers, and a higher chance of being seen when it matters most. Massachusetts leads the nation in parental leave policies. These gaps reflect what many parents already know firsthand: the support you need to raise a child depends heavily on where you live. Related: The United States is the most expensive country to give birth in What parents can do—no matter where they live If you're in a state that ranks lower on WalletHub's list, it doesn't mean you're out of options. Experts recommend: Tapping into community resources: Local nonprofits and parent networks can help bridge the gap in childcare and healthcare access. Advocating for policy change: From zoning laws to parental leave policies, many of the solutions start at the local level. Leaning on support systems: Building your own 'village,' whether through friends, family, or community groups, is critical for both parents and babies. Because whether you live in Massachusetts or Mississippi, one thing is clear: parents shouldn't have to navigate this alone. Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
Service Dog Saves Life Of Military Veteran In Heroic Fashion
A service dog for a veteran with PTSD answered the call of duty by saving his handler's life in an unexpected way. Colorado resident Hank Ford served for over 20 years in the United States Army and Marines, with numerous deployments overseas, including Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. With encouragement from his local Veterans Affairs team, he partnered with a yellow Labrador retriever named Tommy — a service dog trained by the nonprofit Dogs Inc — in 2023. 'I said, 'I want a dog that's going to get me out of bed' because I was sleeping my life away,' he said. ''Then at night, I want a dog that when it's time to chill, it's time to chill.' And that's exactly what he is.' Tommy proved a perfect match for Ford, a lifelong dog lover who'd gone into a 'really dark spot' after the death of his previous two dogs, also Labs. The outgoing Lab can apply pressure therapy whenever Ford experiences anxiety. 'If I start getting anxious, the first thing he'll do is come and he'll put his chin on my knee,' he said. 'He looks up at me and if that doesn't work, then he'll immediately go into a hug where he'll jump into my lap and give me a hug and he'll start licking me — just, 'Hey, calm down.'' Though Tommy wasn't trained to wake Ford from nightmares, he does — and puts a positive spin on every morning. 'He just kind of stands on my chest and looks at me,' he said. 'So when you open your eyes, it's immediate laughter because boom — you've got a goofy dog looking at you.' Tommy helped improve Ford's outlook so much that he even got his job back as a marshal at a golf course. Tommy rides along in the cart and is extremely popular with golfers and staff. 'Everybody loves him,' Ford said. A Life-Saving Service Dog Fortunately, Tommy loves Ford, as he proved one morning this February. Ford's wife, Mary, had already left early for her job as a nurse when Tommy started frantically trying to wake him up. 'He was jumping on me. He was barking and he never barks, ever,' he recalled. 'He was nosing me, telling me to get out of bed.' Ford guessed his dog might need to go to the bathroom and felt wobbly as he rose to open the door to let Tommy outside. 'I opened the door to let him out and he wouldn't go,' he said. 'Then he started jumping up and hitting my chest with his paws. And I'm starting to figure out that something's not right. My heartbeat just doesn't feel right.' He sat down and Tommy jumped in his lap, clearly agitated. Ford put on a blood pressure cuff and was alarmed at the results: 151 over 115, with a heartrate of 171. He drove himself to the hospital, where the staff was 'freaking out' that he drove in that state, and hospitalized him overnight. 'They tried to medicate me back into rhythm, but they couldn't. So they had to shock me back into rhythm,' he said. 'Mary brought Tommy to me at the hospital, and he laid in my lap in that bed the whole time.' Ford had suffered an episode from atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots, heart failure and stroke. The medical team credited Tommy with saving Ford's life. 'The doc said that had he not woke me up, there was a good possibility that I would've stroked out or died,' he said. 'I owe Tommy everything for that one.' Service Dogs From Dogs Inc Naturally, the team at the nonprofit that raised and trained Tommy is thrilled that he has been so pivotal in Ford's life. Dogs Inc starts training future service dogs when they're just two days old to become service dogs for veterans or guide dogs for people who are blind. Thanks to donors, the organization provides them at no cost to handlers like Ford and offers lifetime support, including free dog food and preventive veterinary care, according to Emily Dombrowski, the nonprofit's director of the service dog program. 'Every day, our team is inspired by the ways our dogs bring comfort, independence and hope, not only through the skills they have learned in their training on campus, but also through the strong relationship that develops between dog and person,' she said. 'We're always here to support our teams and hear the incredible stories, like Hank and Tommy's, of how our dogs continue making a difference throughout their lives.' Meanwhile, Ford continues to live life to the fullest with Tommy by his side. The 'huge' Green Bay Packers fan even took Tommy on a trip to visit his wife's family in Wisconsin, where they got a special 3-hour tour of Lambeau Field. 'They were unbelievable to him, the way that they treated us and him,' he said. 'It was really cool.' Ford recently underwent a cardiac ablation to help prevent future heart issues and feels 'great.' Tommy continues to enjoy naps and fetching his toys by name; the clever dog can hear cues like 'monkey,' 'turkey' or 'rooster' and return with the correct toy in his mouth for playtime. Ultimately, Ford hopes other military veterans will consider partnering with service dogs since his own experience has been lifechanging — and lifesaving. 'I've had good connections with other dogs, but nothing like this,' he said. 'It's unreal.'
