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STV News
12-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Couple who lost son hours after birth raise funds for cold cot in neonatal unit
A couple whose son died just hours after birth have paid tribute to NHS Lanarkshire staff by raising funds for a cold cot in the neonatal unit. Freddie Whyte died hours after he and his twin sister, Marnie, were born at University Hospital Wishaw in October 2023. Mum Amy Brown and dad Josh Whyte, from Hamilton, were told 20 weeks into the pregnancy that Freddie would not survive after his birth due to a rare kidney condition called bilateral renal agenesis. Maternity staff were able to put a plan in place for him to be placed straight into their arms and for the family to be together through the use of a cold cot. Following their experience, the couple has raised £3,000 to buy a cold cot for the hospital's neonatal unit, with the support of baby loss charity Abigail's Footsteps. Amy, a support worker, said the refrigerated cot, which allows parents to spend time with a baby who has passed away, was the ideal donation to thank the staff who looked after them before and after the twins' birth. NHS Lanarkshire Mum Amy Brown and dad Josh Whyte, from Hamilton, were devastated to lose Freddie but took comfort from the safe arrival of Marnie. She said: 'The staff went above and beyond. The twins were born at 34 weeks, and Marnie was immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit because she needed help with her breathing. 'We wanted the family to be together, so the staff made space for us to have a cold cot for Freddie in the unit, so we could be with both of our babies at the same time. 'When we were told about Freddie's condition, we found it hard to believe. 'The maternity staff were very compassionate and supportive and put a plan in place for Freddie to be placed straight into our arms because we didn't know if he'd live for minutes or hours. 'Marnie received excellent treatment and left hospital after six days. The whole family had the best of care from the team before and after I gave birth, including from the bereavement specialist midwifery staff.' NHS Lanarkshire The couple has raised £3,000 to buy a cold cot for the hospital's neonatal unit. Josh, 29, a tyre fitter, added: 'Because we'd used a cold cot, we decided to raise money to buy one for the hospital. 'I ran a 10k and then we held a special fancy dress event to mark the twins' first birthday, raising funds by selling tickets and holding a raffle.' The couple, who also have a two-year-old daughter, Millie, teamed up with Abigail's Footsteps, which gives state-of-the-art Abi Cooling Cots to hospitals across the UK and Ireland. The charity asks donors to raise £3,000 to provide a cot. Co-founder, David Ward MBE, said: 'When we had Abigail, we only had two or three hours with her. The Abi Cot allows people to have longer if they wish. 'Thanks to the generosity of those who fundraise for us, we've been able to donate over 250 cots to hospitals across the UK.' Cheryl Clark, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Midwifery, said: 'The Abi Cot, which has a memorial plaque for Freddie, will be placed in the Coorie Inn, our special accommodation for bereaved families. 'This generous donation from Amy and Josh will bring a lot of comfort to other parents who have lost a child.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Family raise £3,000 for Wishaw hospital after twin's death
Freddie Whyte died just hours after he and his twin sister, Marnie, were born at University Hospital Wishaw in October 2023. Parents Amy Brown and Josh Whyte, from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, were devastated by Freddie's death but found solace in Marnie's safe arrival. (Image: Supplied) They have now raised the money to buy a cold cot for the hospital's neonatal unit, with the help of baby loss charity Abigail's Footsteps. Amy, 29, said the refrigerated cot, which allows parents to spend time with a baby who has passed away, was the perfect way to thank the staff who cared for them. She said: "The staff went above and beyond. "The twins were born at 34 weeks and Marnie was immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit because she needed help with her breathing. "We wanted the family to be together so the staff made space for us to have a cold cot for Freddie in the unit, so we could be with both of our babies at the same time." From left: Kate Boyle, NHS Lanarkshire Senior Midwife for Neonatal and Transitional Care; the family; Lynsey Chambers, NHS Lanarkshire Bereavement Specialist Midwife; Alyssa Ely-Cook, Bereavement Donation Coordinator, Abigail's Footsteps (Image: Supplied) Freddie had a rare kidney condition called bilateral renal agenesis and Amy and Josh were told 20 weeks into her pregnancy that he would not survive after his birth. Amy, a support worker, said: "When we were told we found it hard to believe. "The maternity staff were very compassionate and supportive and put a plan in place for Freddie to be placed straight into our arms because we didn't know if he'd live for minutes or hours." Josh, 29, a tyre fitter, said: "Because we'd used a cold cot, we decided to raise money to buy one for the hospital. 'I ran a 10K and then we held a special fancy dress event to mark the twins' first birthday, raising funds by selling tickets and holding a raffle.' The couple also have a two-year-old daughter, Millie. Cheryl Clark, director of midwifery at NHS Lanarkshire, said: 'The Abi Cot, which has a memorial plaque for Freddie, will be placed in the Coorie Inn, our special accommodation for bereaved families." David Ward MBE, co-founder of Abigail's Footsteps, said: 'When we had Abigail, we only had two or three hours with her. "The Abi Cot allows people to have longer if they wish."
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Hamilton couple who experienced joy and heartbreak over twins' birth pay tribute to Wishaw neonatal staff's care
Amy Brown and Josh Whyte, who tragically lost son Freddie just hours after he and sister Marnie were born, raised £3000 to buy a cold cot for unit, with the support of baby loss charity Abigail's Footsteps. A Hamilton couple who experienced both joy and heartbreak over the birth of their twins have paid tribute to NHS staff who cared for them. Baby Freddie Whyte sadly passed away just hours after he and his twin sister, Marnie, were born at University Hospital Wishaw, home to NHS Lanarkshire's maternity services. Mum Amy Brown and dad Josh Whyte were devastated to lose Freddie but took comfort from the safe arrival of Marnie. Now the couple has raised £3000 to buy a cold cot for the hospital's neonatal unit, with the support of baby loss charity Abigail's Footsteps. Amy said the refrigerated cot, which allows parents to spend time with a baby who has passed away, was the ideal donation to thank the staff who looked after them before and after the twins' birth in October 2023. She added: 'The staff went above and beyond. The twins were born at 34 weeks and Marnie was immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit because she needed help with her breathing. "We wanted the family to be together so the staff made space for us to have a cold cot for Freddie in the unit, so we could be with both of our babies at the same time." Freddie had a rare kidney condition called bilateral renal agenesis and Amy and Josh were told 20 weeks into her pregnancy that he would not survive after his birth. Amy, 29, a support worker, said: 'When we were told we found it hard to believe. "The maternity staff were very compassionate and supportive and put a plan in place for Freddie to be placed straight into our arms because we didn't know if he'd live for minutes or hours. "Marnie received excellent treatment and left hospital after six days. "The whole family had the best of care from the team before and after I gave birth, including from the bereavement specialist midwifery staff." Josh, 29, a tyre fitter, added: "Because we'd used a cold cot, we decided to raise money to buy one for the hospital. "I ran a 10K and then we held a special fancy dress event to mark the twins' first birthday, raising funds by selling tickets and holding a raffle." The couple, who also have a two-year-old daughter, Millie, teamed up with Abigail's Footsteps, which gives state-of-the-art Abi Cooling Cots to hospitals across the UK and Ireland. The charity, whose high-profile supporters include former Scotland rugby star Craig Chalmers, singer Cheryl Baker and TV presenter Julie Etchingham, asks donors to raise £3000 to provide a cot. Cheryl Clark, NHS Lanarkshire director of midwifery, said: 'The Abi Cot, which has a memorial plaque for Freddie, will be placed in the Coorie Inn, our special accommodation for bereaved families. "This generous donation from Amy and Josh will bring a lot of comfort to other parents who have lost a child." Charity co-founder, David Ward MBE, added: 'When we had Abigail, we only had two or three hours with her. "The Abi Cot allows people to have longer if they wish. Thanks to the generosity of those who fundraise for us we've been able to donate over 250 cots to hospitals across the UK.'
