A remarkable couple from Carluke have donated a Cuddle Cot to the Emergency Department at University Hospital Wishaw in memory of their baby boy, Braylon.
Tragically, Braylon died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at just five weeks old. He was unresponsive at home and his mum, Kimberley, rushed him to the Emergency Department. Despite every effort by the clinical team, Braylon could not be resuscitated.
SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. It was a traumatic experience for the family, made even more difficult as both parents, David and Kimberley, are deaf and were unable to communicate until an interpreter arrived.
Kimberley said: “When Braylon died, everything happened so quickly and we felt so helpless.
“We hope this donation will make things a little easier for other families going through the same pain. It’s our way of keeping Braylon’s memory alive and helping others.”
At the time, there was no Cuddle Cot in the Emergency Department, one had to be brought from the maternity unit.
A Cuddle Cot is a special cooling system designed to fit inside a baby’s cot or basket. It allows bereaved parents to spend more time with their baby after death, giving families the chance to say goodbye in a private and dignified way.
Determined to help other families facing similar heartbreak, David and Kimberley raised funds to donate a Cuddle Cot, displaying Braylon’s name, that will be kept in the Emergency Department for any family who needs it.
David said: “Losing Braylon was the hardest thing we’ve ever faced. We wanted to do something positive in his memory and make sure other families have the time and space to say goodbye. The Cuddle Cot will help give families that precious time.”
The couple raised the majority of the funds through a charity skydive by David, alongside Tracy Richardson, an interpreter who has supported the family for years.
Nicola Martin, Senior Charge Nurse, University Hospital Wishaw Emergency Department, said: “We are so grateful to David and Kimberley for this incredible gift which is a lovely tribute to Braylon. Their generosity will make a real difference for families during the most difficult times.”
