A COUPLE whose baby was stillborn have started to raise money for charities that help other families in the same situation.

Daniel Lord and Viki Shaw lost their little boy Dominic Leo on June 2 at Burnley Birthing Centre.

Now the heartbroken couple, of Lowthwaite Drive, Nelson, are determined to channel Dominic’s love into a positive cause, and as well as raising money for charity they want to fund a new cold cot in East Lancashire.

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A cold cot is designed to keep a baby’s body cool after its death, allowing parents and family to have a longer period to say a proper good bye.

Viki, 28, a support worker for Calico, said: “We wanted to do this so that something positive could come out of it. There was so much love created for our son and we need to use that as a positive.

“It is still early days for us and we are still coming to terms with our loss.

“It’s so hard but myself and Dan are trying to stay strong and brave together for him. I have to believe we will have better days. We have wonderful family and friends who are so supportive and truly lights on this earth.

“I do know already that I cannot imagine never talking about him or being ashamed to talk about him.

“We all expected him just like any child and that is why his memory is worth keeping alive as best we can. I want people to know how special and beautiful he is to me and all our family. I am still his mother and he is my son.

“When we do have another one day, I will tell them about their special big brother who is now an angel. He is always with us in our hearts.”

Viki was 40 weeks and three days when she went into natural labour and was then told at the hospital that there was no heartbeat.

Dominic Leo’s Appeal is now seeking to raise funds for SANDS (Stillbirth and NeoNatal Death charity) and local charity Friends of Serenity, as well as funding a cold cot to help parents come to terms with their loss and say their goodbyes.

Viki and Daniel, 29, a field support engineer, have raised more than £1,000, with an initial target of £1,570 to buy the cold cot.

Viki said: “A cold cot made it possible for us to stay with Dominic Leo longer and make precious keepsakes and photographs. These are memories we’ll cherish forever.

“I don’t think we’d have got through without the use of that very special cot. I’m looking into Dominic Leo’s cold cot being placed at Blackburn or Bolton Hospital’s as Burnley are at full capacity now.

“We know it won’t bring our son back ,but if we can help other families suffering the same loss we’ll be a little happier.”