AS a parent, there is nothing worse than the thought of losing a child.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For Amanda Mayberry and Chloe Stablas, this was the horrific reality they had to face last year.
Both women gave birth to stillborn daughters on October 23.
Amanda's daughter Eva Joyce was born at Wollongong Hospital while Chloe gave birth to Chrissi at Figtree Private Hospital. The pair connected through Heartfelt Photographers and by chance their daughters are buried side by side.
Both mums have found the strength to turn their pain into something positive and are trying to raise money to purchase two new Cuddle Cots. Bowral and District Hospital will be one of the recipients of these cots along with St George Private Hospital in Kogarah .
A Cuddle Cot is a cooling system designed to fit in a hospital cot or Moses basket. The system allows babies who have passed away to remain with their families and spend some time with them.
"If we didn't have that (Cuddle Cot) we wouldn't have had that time with her (Eva) and got to hold her," Amanda said.
"People don't want to think of these things happening but they do."
The pair has already raised $7500 of the $11,000 needed to purchase the new cots.
Amanda said they hoped to have the money raised by August so they could present the cots to the hospitals on the anniversary of the girls' birthdays.
Bowral does not currently have a Cuddle Cot and Amanda said she chose Bowral as she had connections with the Southern Highlands.
"It's nice to have a connection to the place you're giving it to. We're bringing something great to the community and it gave us the strength to know it's not all in vain."
Amanda and Chloe were fundraising through Pregnancy Loss Australia until it dismembered and have transferred to Bears of Hope.
Details: http://cuddlecots.gofundraise.com.au/page/preciousgift to donate or contact Amanda at anmylott@hotmail.com if you would like to help the fundraising effort.