Family donates cooling cots to help bereaved parents spend longer with their babies

Two specialist cooling cots have been donated to the Queen Elizabeth Maternity Unit in Glasgow through fundraising by Chelsea Turrell and Christian Horn in memory of their son, Romeo Mackenzie Horn, with support from Abigail’s Footsteps charity.

Chelsea and Christian, from Kendal, have raised more than £30,000 to provide cooling cots to maternity units across the UK following Romeo’s death, just two days before his due date.

Their fundraising has helped provide two Abi Cooling Cots for the Glasgow unit, where they will support other families experiencing the loss of a baby.

Cooling cots are specially designed to give bereaved parents the opportunity to spend more time with their baby following a stillbirth or neonatal death. For Chelsea and Christian, having access to a cooling cot meant they were able to spend precious time as a family with Romeo after he was born.

Chelsea said: “Handing over Romeo’s Abi Cooling Cots for us is such an honour. The impact these Abi Cooling Cots will have on bereaved families is immense.

“Allowing families to grieve without time pressure is fundamental. Time that can never be replaced. Unfortunately, until you’re in a position where you require its use, you can never comprehend its value and impact.”

Rhonda Hendry, Pre-Pregnancy Midwife at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, added: “We are incredibly grateful to Chelsea, Christian and Abigail’s Footsteps for this very thoughtful donation, made in memory of Romeo. The death of a baby is devastating, and our teams do everything they can to support parents and families through an unimaginably difficult time.

“Having access to specialist equipment such as cooling cots can give families the choice of spending more precious time with their baby and the opportunity to make memories together.”