Bereaved parents create garden to support others

Bereaved parents have created a memory garden to support others who suffer the loss of a baby.

Jasmine Wheaton and Matt Snook from Basingstoke welcomed the arrival of their twins last year but both babies died shortly after their birth.

The family received support from Hampshire Hospitals Charity, and, when the funerals came around, they asked for people to donate to the organisation.

The couple used the money raised to fund the memorial garden which has been created at Basing House in Old Basing, Basingstoke.

Before giving birth, Jasmine and Matt knew their daughter Evie had Edward's syndrome which meant she was not expected to survive long.

She died just 99 minutes after her birth.

The couple were able to take their son Noah home to begin life as a new family but after just two weeks he became poorly with a sudden illness and was taken to the John Radcliff Hospital in Oxford for specialist care.

It was revealed that he had suffered severe brain damage and he died at 21 days old.

"Laura Mackie from the maternity bereavement team was amazing," Mr Snook said.

"When we were far away in hospital with Noah, Laura arranged to get the three of us back to the butterfly suite in Basingstoke so we could say goodbye to Noah in the room we lost Evie.

"She arranged everything so quickly and on a weekend. Her compassion to help us outside of her working hours and ability to get this sorted so quickly made an impossibly hard moment to deal with so much easier."

Reflecting on the support that the family has received since losing their babies, Mr Snook said: "We didn't expect it at all. The whole team was just perfect and the ongoing support we have received has been incredible.

"I've even joined a football team supported by the charity for bereaved dads and it's been a huge help to me to be with others in the same situation. Because of all this, we wanted to use the money raised to help give back and provide something that other parents would find useful."

The garden at Basing House, a former Tudor palace and castle in the village of Old Basing, has been named after Evie and Noah.

"It's a really comforting place," said Ms Wheaton after she saw the site for the first time.

"It's a place for parents to come to have some private time. It feels surreal to think we've managed to achieve this and create a haven that parents can retreat to if they have nowhere to go to remember their baby and we're pleased that it's now here for people to come and use."

Ms Wheaton is now pregnant again and, while a little apprehensive, the couple have said they are now looking forward to welcoming their new baby.

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