Baby loss mum from Molehill Green near Bishop’s Stortford launches teddy bear appeal to support maternity bereavement team
A mum from Molehill Green who has experienced baby loss is appealing for donations of teddy bears to support the maternity bereavement team that gave her comfort, writes Janet Gordon.
Hollie Edridge, 28, has founded Much Loved Teddies to boost The Blossom Team at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.
In October 2020, Hollie gave birth to Alfie, who was born sleeping, and she spent five days in the peace and tranquillity of the suite in order to help recover from that devastating ordeal.
“I was 40 weeks’ pregnant when I realised how odd I felt and, after a scan, it was discovered Alfie didn’t have a heartbeat,” said Hollie, who lives in the hamlet near Takeley with her partner Jay and children Arthur, seven, Mia, six, and 18-month-old Kaya.
“Having to go into labour and give birth knowing that Alfie would be born sleeping was, as I hope you can only imagine, the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. The support from Blossoms was unbelievable.
“Alfie was buried surrounded by teddies and I really need to give something back. Having to give birth to a sleeping baby is far more common than people realise.”
The Blossom Team in Chelmsford, along with its sister suites at Southend and Basildon hospitals, offers the time, space, comfort and facilities necessary to support bereaved parents and give them the opportunity to make memories with their babies.
The Broomfield unit is a home-away-from-home environment with a private en-suite, kitchen area and memory room. The suite is equipped with toiletries and there is access to a cold cot and cuddle cot.
“Much Loved Teddies is my way of helping,” said Hollie. “We all know the healing power of a teddy and I’m sure there must be many a lonely teddy that would be happy to help out with lots of cuddles.
“I’d love Indie readers to donate any of their cuddlies to me so that I can carefully refurbish them with handwashing and repair, if necessary, in order that those who unfortunately have to go through my experience can gain the same comfort I was given when I stayed there with Alfie.
“I had so much support from Blossoms, including some counselling and follow-up visits from midwives. I really need to give something back.
“You never really get over an experience like this – you simply have to learn to live with it. This is my way of doing something special in his memory.”
Hollie has created website muchloved.wixsite.com/much-loved and has a £1,500 GoFundMe fundraiser at https://gofund.me/e58db161. Teddies will be available to buy both from the website and from The Blossom Team to help keep this vital support going.
Teddies can be dropped off at Hollie’s home – 3 Cricket View, School Lane, Molehill Green, CM22 6PJ – where there is a covered plastic tub by the front door. They can also be donated at the Indie office at 7 Palmers Lane, Bishop’s Stortford.
Some Stortford businesses have already contributed a big box of teddies to the cause.