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Sponsored by: Our Angels
Plea:
Every year 10 babies a day are born sleeping or sadly pass away shortly after birth. These babies can be very small and too often the parents are unable to find something appropriate to dress their baby in. Cherished gowns are working to change this. All parents should be given the opportunity to dress their baby at least once, in a special item of clothing that fit them regardless of their size, gestation or weight.
Our aim is to provide every family who experience the tragic loss of a baby with a gown, cloth nappy, hat, pair of booties and a blanket. We have around 1,800 volunteers across the UK that help us create these specially designed items, so that we can help parents dress even the most delicate babies. We are able to offer this service from 16 weeks up to full term. Our gowns come in 5 different sizes and have an added special touch, as they are all created from donated wedding dresses.
Since we started Cherished Gowns at the end of September 2014 we have stocked every UK hospital with a permanent, replenished supply of our gown packs and have sent out over 800 packs directly to parents that were offered nothing to dress their baby in whilst in hospital; completely free of charge.
‘Natalie – My little boy was born sleeping on the 3rd of June 2016 at 35 weeks gestation. We knew 1 week before he passed away that we were going to lose him. Up until then there was no reason to believe he wouldn’t be coming home, alive and healthy. Mel Finley helped me order a gown for Otis to be buried in. It arrived on the 28th of May, days before my little boys heart had even stopped beating. As harrowing as it was to receive while I could still feel him moving, it brought comfort knowing I had something so special for him to rest in forever. We didn’t prepare for Otis to die. We never expected to have to order our child’s burial outfit and coffin before he had even passed, so we didn’t have money saved for that & the fact that they’re donated for free helped us that little bit more. Thank you, to whoever made our beautiful little boys forever gown. Thank you to those who donate dresses. Your service is appreciated, so much.’
This year we have had a huge amount of press coverage. We have been in every UK newspaper, on BBC & ITV news, BBC Radio 2, and various local radio stations and have a huge social media following.
It would not be possible for Cherished Gowns to continue to provide this service without the thousands of volunteers that help us each and every month; from the seamstresses, knitters and our admin team, to the brides who donate their dresses.
What others have said:
This charity works totally on volunteers to provide packs for angel babies, when they need support and comfort, ensuring that the babies have something to wear on their final journey. The charity has expanded considerably this year, making the National Newspapers because of their work.
wonderful award to appreciate and thank all cherished volunteers social media is wonderful to share the hard work they do
What a wonderful way to acknowledge their much valued outfits for all these special babies born sleeping with angel wings. My first grandson was born sleeping and it is total heartbreak but to have something made specially for these babies is a moment to cherish forever.
Fully deserved; the work they do is not in the spotlight of the media but in the hearts, broken hearts iofmany parents, fantastic x
Are you still collecting wedding dresses …I’ve my daughters up in the attic xx
I am afraid our waiting list to donate a dress is closed until Jan 2017. If you would like to pop us an email to cherishedgownsuk@gmail.com a bit closer to the time I can let you know how to join the waiting list. Thank you for taking the time to view our profile 🙂
I think and know it is the most wonderful thing that you all are doing for theses precious little gifts and their special loving parents at a heartbreaking time.you truly deserve what ever comes your way.well done to all.?
What a beautiful thing to do with your wedding dresses, such a terrible time when famines lose there babies. This charity does an amazing thing.
We lost our firstborn at 23 weeks. She was born sleeping on 18th August 2016. The last thing we thought of was what she would wear. It was so comforting to know that she was dressed in something that had been made with great love and care. We cannot thank Cherished Gowns enough for taking the decision making process away for us and making an extremely difficult time a little easier.
I discovered the amazing work of this charity as my daughter is a funeral arranger, and she wanted to help parents find beautiful garments to dress their precious angels in. Recognition is well deserved!
Hi i have a wedding dress i would like to donate please can you tell me how
Thank you amanda
So wish we was aware of this fab charity when we lost our little girl in November 2003 Iwe had the Hertfordshire break of trying to find something to dress her in everything was just to big but we had to make do with what I could get. For people to congratulate you when buying baby clothes made me break down in the shop well done people keep up the great work x x
This is an amazing thing, my daughter had a sleeping baby two weeks ago and we had no clothes for her as we couldn’t find none small enough. This was upsetting my daughter but when we got to the hospital they gave us one and they are simply beautiful and we could dress our baby so thank you xx