Published: Thursday, 25th March, 2010 6:58am

Mum helps raise funds after baby tragedy

by Matt Meade

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Michelle Jones

A KELTY mum whose child was stillborn is helping raise awareness of the support available to other bereaved mums coping with similar heartbreak.

Michelle Jones (29, pictured), Netherton Gardens, lost her baby, Angel, in November but was helped through the ordeal by SANDS (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death) charity.

She said, "At 36 weeks I thought I was going in to hospital to have a baby but it didn't happen that way.

"When you're pregnant you don't know about the possibilities of this happening to you until it happens and I think that's wrong.

"You're advised about cot death but this is not any different because it's about children dying.

"Expectant mothers should be told about this."

The full-time mum to 15-month-old Niamh will join family and friends in a colourful fancy dress walk from Kelty to Cowdenbeath on Saturday.

The event will start at 3pm from the Crown Inn in Kelty, stopping off at all the pubs on the way to raise money.

The group will then return to the Crown Inn for a fund-raising evening that will include a race night, raffle, auction and more.

Michelle added, "SANDS is all about support - they pay for babies' funerals and offer bereavement counselling.

"I wasn't aware of SANDS - I knew about it because a friend had been through something similar.

"I want to highlight their work. They also put you in touch with other families who have gone through the same thing which makes the whole experience easier."

According to SANDS, 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth within the UK every day.

As well as aiming to improve care for bereaved families the charity is also promoting research into medical conditions that may cause deaths.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/angeljones181109.