Couple who lost son hours after birth raise funds for cold cot in Wishaw neonatal unit

A couple whose son died just hours after birth have paid tribute to NHS Lanarkshire staff by raising funds for a cold cot in the neonatal unit.

Freddie Whyte died hours after he and his twin sister, Marnie, were born at University Hospital Wishaw in October 2023.

Mum Amy Brown and dad Josh Whyte, from Hamilton, were told 20 weeks into the pregnancy that Freddie would not survive after his birth due to a rare kidney condition called bilateral renal agenesis.

Maternity staff were able to put a plan in place for him to be placed straight into their arms and for the family to be together through the use of a cold cot.

Following their experience, the couple has raised £3,000 to buy a cold cot for the hospital’s neonatal unit, with the support of baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps.

Amy, a support worker, said the refrigerated cot, which allows parents to spend time with a baby who has passed away, was the ideal donation to thank the staff who looked after them before and after the twins’ birth.

Mum Amy Brown and dad Josh Whyte, from Hamilton, were devastated to lose Freddie but took comfort from the safe arrival of Marnie. NHS Lanarkshire

She said: “The staff went above and beyond. The twins were born at 34 weeks, and Marnie was immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit because she needed help with her breathing.

“We wanted the family to be together, so the staff made space for us to have a cold cot for Freddie in the unit, so we could be with both of our babies at the same time.

“When we were told about Freddie’s condition, we found it hard to believe.

“The maternity staff were very compassionate and supportive and put a plan in place for Freddie to be placed straight into our arms because we didn’t know if he’d live for minutes or hours.

“Marnie received excellent treatment and left hospital after six days. The whole family had the best of care from the team before and after I gave birth, including from the bereavement specialist midwifery staff.”

The couple has raised £3,000 to buy a cold cot for the hospital’s neonatal unit. NHS Lanarkshire

Josh, 29, a tyre fitter, added: “Because we’d used a cold cot, we decided to raise money to buy one for the hospital.

“I ran a 10k and then we held a special fancy dress event to mark the twins’ first birthday, raising funds by selling tickets and holding a raffle.”

The couple, who also have a two-year-old daughter, Millie, teamed up with Abigail’s Footsteps, which gives state-of-the-art Abi Cooling Cots to hospitals across the UK and Ireland.

The charity asks donors to raise £3,000 to provide a cot.

Co-founder, David Ward MBE, said: “When we had Abigail, we only had two or three hours with her. The Abi Cot allows people to have longer if they wish.

“Thanks to the generosity of those who fundraise for us, we’ve been able to donate over 250 cots to hospitals across the UK.”

Cheryl Clark, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Midwifery, said: “The Abi Cot, which has a memorial plaque for Freddie, will be placed in the Coorie Inn, our special accommodation for bereaved families.

“This generous donation from Amy and Josh will bring a lot of comfort to other parents who have lost a child.”