A FATHER whose baby daughter was stillborn has donated a gift which he hopes will help other grieving families across the county.

David Daw has donated a cuddle cot and moses basket to the bereavement support team, based in the maternity suite at Hereford County Hospital, in memory of his daughter, Natalie Daw, who was stillborn in April 1990 and her mother, Linda Daw, who died on May 18 last year.

Mr Daw said he wanted to do something special for others who find themselves mourning the loss of a child, particularly as it is 25 years since he found himself in that same position.

He said: "With Linda's death [last year] it really brought it home how precious being able to spend time can be when you know that very soon you are going to have to say a forever goodbye."

Cuddle cots, he said, will give parents the chance to spend more precious time with their baby and will give them an opportunity, if they wish, to take their baby home for a few days so other members of the extended families can say their goodbyes as well "Back in 1990 we didn't have cuddle cots for us to do these things," he said.

"All too often dads need to spend time with their baby as well. I am hoping that this cot will let fathers have the time they need to grieve for their loss.

"As a father I know the pain of losing a baby, even 25 years on since losing Natalie I still remember those early days, and how we tried to get as much out of the little time we had with her.

"Taking the only photographs we could ever have, getting the chance to put her in her forever clothes and having a chance to just give our little girl a cuddle before saying our forever goodnight."

Mr Daw is also co-organising an evening of live music to raise money for the bereavement support team.

It will feature Herefordshire singer Andrew Marc, who has appeared on The Voice and Britain's Got Talent, and will take place at Hereford's Welsh Club from 7pm on March 11.

Tickets, which cost £10, must be purchased in advance by calling 07593064650 or 07977523262. There will also be a raffle and charity auction at the event.

Katie Farmer, from Wye Valley Trust, added: "Generous donations like this help us to improve the quality of the services we offer to patients and their families and we know that Mr Daw’s gift will help parents in our delivery suite."