A couple who lost their baby daughter have helped create a special hospital room where other bereaved parents can share a haven of peace and quiet as they grieve.
Greg and Suzanne Russell raised funds in memory of their baby, Lily, who was born prematurely at 24 weeks in January 2014 and, sadly, was too unwell to live for more than a few hours.
The couple, from Coatbridge, raised an incredible £5,420 to pay for the new family room at University Hospital Wishaw, which is home to NHS Lanarkshire’s maternity services.
Situated in a quiet corner of the neonatal unit, the room has a double bed, wardrobes, TV, ensuite and a framed message on the wall in tribute to Lily. There is a “cold cot” for those who wish to spend cherished moments with a child who has passed away. It will also provide a private space for parents to stay when they’re keeping a hospital vigil as their baby is cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Greg, 33, an electrician, said: “We lost Lily because her lungs weren’t fully developed. The maternity and neonatal staff supported us fantastically and prepared us for the worst. It seemed appropriate to do something for them on the 10th anniversary of losing Lily.
“So we decided to raise funds through a charity golf day at the Cardrona course in Peebles in August 2023. About 50 people came along to play and take part in an auction.
“We received great gift donations from golf clubs including Airdrie, Carluke, Carnwath, Colville Park, Machrihanish, Royal Musselburgh, Scotscraig and Shotts. Football clubs including Motherwell and Hamilton gave match tickets, Manchester United and Falkirk donated a signed top, Rangers gifted a stadium tour and ex-Celtic player David Turnbull sent us signed tops.
“The hospital staff said the money would be best used to build the family room and we were delighted. It was very important for us that we got to spend time alone with Lily in her final hours and after. It gives us comfort to know other parents will now have a special, homely place on the neonatal unit to be together during these heartbreaking moments.”
The couple’s delight at their fundraising success was multiplied when they found out Suzanne was pregnant again, with daughter Alexandra. She, too, was born premature, at 34 weeks, but the expertise of NHS Lanarkshire’s neonatal staff ensured she thrived and is now a healthy four-month-old.
Alexandra was with her mum and dad when they visited the hospital to cut the ribbon on the new room and have a look round.
Suzanne, 30, a GP receptionist, said: “It gives us a great sense of peace knowing this room will bring some form of comfort to couples, who will able to spend precious time with their baby that they wouldn’t otherwise have.”
Staff have called the room the Coorie Inn – a play on the Scots term “coorie in”, which means to snuggle up, with “inn” having the traditional meaning of a place for people to rest their heads.
NHS Lanarkshire Director of Midwifery Cheryl Clark said: “We’d like to thank Greg and Suzanne for their incredibly generous donation.
“It was wonderful to see baby Alexandra with them when they visited to open the Coorie Inn, which is a fitting tribute to the memory of Lily and will be greatly appreciated by other parents.”
