Sponsored by:
Providing support after the loss of a baby
My Plea:
The Butterfly Awards Cherished Keepsakes 2018.
On the 8th October 2016 my beautiful great neice Willow Jayne Dawes was born to her parents Samantha and Carl.
Willow was perfect in every way except she would
never open her eyes, for she was born sleeping.
Unless you have lived through it, no one can imagine the pain, confusion and devastation a baby’s loss brings. It shatters your heart to go through the next
days, months and years with the immense loss of not being able to hold and do
all the things you had planned, with the baby you so wanted and loved.
As a family we raised monies to provide ‘cuddle cots’ for two hospitals, as it would help grieving parents and families to spend time with their baby before saying goodbye.
However, I wanted to do something personal, to give back to the hospital for their support during this time. Recalling the 
beautiful knitted dress, hat and comforter Willows parents had been given, and how Samantha had messaged us all with a photo of Willow in her dress, this beautiful set, so kindly donated by a stranger, this became my inspiration to do the same for other grieving parents, knowing how much it had meant to Samantha & Carl that they could dress their daughter, something every parent should be able to do.
So, I picked up a pair of knitting needles and wool for the first time in 40+ years and started to knit.
Over the next few weeks and months as my knitting improved, I started to make little patterns and designs, and since that very first knit I have made over 250 which have been donated to hospitals across the West Midlands, Manchester, Devon and Cornwall.
Every knitted pocket is different, the only thing they all share is a button or heart charm that states ‘made with love’ because they are, very much so.
I have also inspired friends in other parts of the country to start knitting pockets and blankets for their local hospitals.
I am not a business, I do this completely voluntarily, it is for Willow. She stayed strong to fight to 28 weeks, which meant as a family we all got to meet her.
Willow made such a difference in her short time and continues to do so, and this is this is my personal way of helping to keep her memory alive and to make her proud.
Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to raise awareness of my knits.
Sadly, the reality is that there are hundreds of families like Samantha, Carl and baby Willow in the UK every year. So please if you can knit or crochet then sit and do something that you will find is not only rewarding to you, but also, help’s others at a very sad time in their lives.
What Others Have Said
“Gail has been knitting beautiful knitted pockets in her own time with no cost and had distributed them to local hospitals across the midlands. When my daughter was born sleeping at 28 weeks the hospital gave me a knitted dress to dress my daughter. She looked beautiful in it. It was so lovely to be able to dress her especially as it would be my only chance to dress her before saying my final goodbyes. This inspired my lovely auntie Gail to make knitted pockets for other angel families and their babies.”
https://youtu.be/cWFRci-t3RQ
What a kind and thoughtful idea and a nice comfort to the poor people that have been in this tragic situation.
thankyou for voting it means so much x
My sister gail has knitted these beautiful pockets in memory of my angle granddaughter willow , they are so lovely and they will bring a little comfort to grieving parents to be able to put there beautiful angle baby in one of these lovely pockets please vote for Gail xx
thankyou for voting it means so much x
Well done Gail, remembering a very special little girl in a very special way.
thankyou Lynette, yes Willow is a very special little girl Thankyou for voting it means a lot
So proud of my auntie Gail making these for precious angel babies in memory of my beautiful daughter Willow. Each knitted pocket is beautifully made. Please vote for my lovely auntie how is an inspiration to us all.
Your an inspiration to me, its amazing that you have managed to find a positive way to honour the memory of your great neice
Willow is the inspiration, she is very special. Thank you Mubina for voting it means so much.
Well done Gail they are beautiful
Beautiful work and amazing I love them my Angel neva had anythink like this amazing xxxxx
My granddaughter Harper Jo was born last year Sept 28th and she died 4 hours later. She had potters syndrome. She was dressed in one of the pockets and looked beautiful. I’m so thankful Gail. God bless you. XxX
It’s lovely to hear that my aunties knitted pockets have brought comfort at a sad time.
My beautiful daughter Willow inspired her so I’m so proud of her ❤️
Im so sorry for you loss Joanne… its bitter sweet to hear of my knits being worn as I we know another babe has flown but knowing they have brought some comfort to you and others inspires me to carry on. They are truly made with love Thankyou Joanne x
What a loving tender kind thing to do in memory of such a special little girl , so sorry for your heartbreak , but thank you so much for helping others in such a dignified kind way x
Thankyou Dawn for your kind words and for voting it means a lot to me and to Sam & Carl that Willow is remembered x
So proud of my wife,Gail.
You make me so proud to have a wife like you. Well done Gail.
I couldn’t do it without your support Glenn x
My twin nieces, one born sleeping the other tried but in vain to stay with us for 15 minutes.
Any comfort and kindness helps.
So sorry for your loss sending you a hug x
Wonderful that you do this for others!
You deserve to get an award for all the things you have have done for charity not just this! Your a wonderful person Gail!
Thank you Kathy that people have taken time to vote has really touched me. Thank you all x
Well done Gail
It’s lovely to hear you are helping people with your kindness
Keep up the good work
Lynn