A couple whose daughter was stillborn are fundraising for a hospital to help other families through the traumatic loss of a baby.
Angela Rotherham and Anthony Potts, from Preston, thought they could never have children due to Angela's polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.
But after seeing the pregnancy test strip turn pink, and getting engaged at Christmas, they thought their dreams had come true.
Tragically, their daughter, Sophia Grace Potts’ heart stopped beating in June just two days before her due date.
Her parents, both 33, were able to say goodbye by using a cold cot in the Royal Preston Hospital’s bereavement room. Now, they would like to give others the opportunity they had.
Accounts manager Angela, who lives in Ashton, said: “We planned a whole future with Sophia, to only get a few days was hard enough.
“It’s a lot more common than people realise, so to help people have those priceless memories and moments will mean the world to them.
“You’ll always remember that short time you had with your child and it’s very special because you’ll never get that back.”
They have set up a GoFundMe page in Sophia’s honour, hoping to donate money to Baby Beat, the hospital’s charity that is funding the renovation of a second bereavement room.
The cot used by the family came from Abigail’s Footsteps, a child bereavement charity, but the couple want to give funds for another cold cot in Sophia’s name.
Their campaign has raised more than £9,000 so far, hugely exceeding their target of £6,000.
She added: “It’s absolutely amazing to raise so much money in Sophia’s legacy and we don’t want to stop here.”
Their biggest donation came from Angela’s company, Ardonagh Community Trust, which was for £5,000 towards the cause.
Next year Angela hopes to hold a summer ball to continue fundraising in Sophia’s name.
To donate to the cause, search Sophia Grace on GoFundMe.
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