A MUM has launched her own painted rocks project to raise much-needed funds for the Born Sleeping Appeal at Hereford County Hospital.

Laura Grice, 34, wanted to raise awareness and funds for the appeal after discovering first-hand how vital a bereavement suite is for families who have experienced the loss of a baby, after her baby son Barnaby was born sleeping on May 29.

Determined to help the Born Sleeping Appeal and to ensure Barnaby's memory lives on, Laura decided to paint rocks and hide them around Hereford.

Each rock has a link to the Barnaby Rocks Facebook page and the link to the Born Sleeping donation page, so people can find a rock, make a donation and re-hide the rock for somebody else to discover and donate.

The project has been running for several weeks and Barnaby’s rocks have been found as far afield as Cornwall and London.

Explaining the project, Laura said: “I want Barnaby’s name to carry on. He is always going to be my baby and my other children’s little brother."

Barnaby's siblings, Ollie, 12; Esme, 10 and 20 month old Ivy love to keep track of where Barnaby's rocks are found.

Laura added: “The kids are excited to see where their brother is.”

When Laura delivered Barnaby in May, she and her husband Rob had to stay on the maternity ward surrounded by new mums and their babies, an experience she describes as 'horrific'.

She paid tribute to the midwives at the hospital as 'amazing' as they did everything they could to help her and explained how they too want a bereavement suite to help families.

Laura said: "It’s such an important cause. I really needed that to be available for me.”

Laura, who is an NHS health visitor, had donated to the Born Sleeping Appeal six months before she lost Barnaby, after learning about the campaign.

She added: “I never thought I would need this. For it to happen to me, it could happen to anybody.”

To find out more about the Born Sleeping Appeal and to make a donation, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/wyevalleynhstrust/bornsleeping17