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My Plea:
The summer of 2009 was an exciting time for my husband Terry and myself. We were preparing for our first grandchild expected early in August. Everything had gone smoothly with helping Melanie and Barry buy the various pieces of equipment needed for a new baby.
Melanie went into hospital on 1 st August 2009 to prepare for the birth. Things were taking a long time to get started, so Barry was sent home to get some sleep. In the early hours on 2 nd August, things started to cause concern. Barry had a phone call to go to the hospital and so did we. Melanie needed to have an emergency Caesarean operation as her baby was experiencing difficulties.
Barry arrived at the hospital, with us following down the long corridor to find out what was happening. In front of us, a nurse was informing Barry that his new son had not survived the birth. We were then told this and told that Melanie was in recovery and would shortly be brought back to her room. We were taken to wait in her room.
A very upset 
Melanie was brought back to the room and her new baby, Finley John Scott, was also brought to meet us. The nurse who broke the news and the doctor came to see us and explained what had happened.
Finley was lying in his cot, like any other new born baby, wrapped in a hospital blanket and wearing a little hat. We asked if we could hold him and were told we could. Barry looked after Melanie and I was able to hold my new, first grandson. Melanie recovered from the operation, but along with Barry, was distraught at the loss of her baby. Later the nurse asked if Barry would like to bath Finley. With the nurse’s help Barry did this, and I filmed this for them. Finley was dressed in his new clothes.
Melanie was later moved to an en suite room where she could recover, spend time with Barry and Finley and receive members of their family. Melanie was in hospital for several days. Each day was spent with Finley in her room. Whenever we visited we could cuddle Finley. Barry spent most of the days with Melanie and Finley, trying on the different outfits that they had been given for Finley and taking many photographs for their memory box of Finley. As you can imagine, Barry loved putting Finley in the Plymouth Argyle and Liverpool Football team’s strip.
Whilst still at the hospital, Melanie was visited by the Hospital Chaplain, who was also the vicar that married Melanie and Barry, and he would later perform the funeral service for Finley. We were also there to share this special moment of prayer
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Barry took Melanie home and Finley went to the Chapel of Rest. The following few days were filled with preparing for Finley’s funeral. Many people attended. Finley is at rest near where Melanie and Barry live. He shares a special area with many other babies. Terry and I mark his birthday with flowers and a candle representing his age, and at Christmas he has a special wreath.
In the days, weeks and months following Finley’s birth, without us knowing, Melanie kept a diary of her feelings and events that happened. These entries have formed the basis for a book – Finley’s Footprints. Melanie and Barry found out so much information, in dribs and drabs, following Finley’s birth that is not made available to all new parents that suffer the loss of a baby that they decided to start a Charity to help support parents.
A considerable amount of money has to be raised before a Charity can be registered. We have helped fund raise with Melanie and Barry. Many raffles, attending events to talk about the support Melanie would like to offer and getting support from organisations has made it possible for Towards Tomorrow Together to be set up.
Melanie, whilst working for the Charity has run support days in this county and overseas, for many groups of people involved with the birth and the sad loss of new babies, including nurses, doctors and funeral directors. The Charity provides memory boxes for new parents and cold cribs for hospitals.
My husband Terry and I, as Melanie’s parents, feel very proud of what Melanie and Barry have achieved, which has now culminated in the sixth year of the Butterfly Awards evening. We have enjoyed being part of Melanie’s Charity work and hope to continue supporting her and Barry.
To end, Melanie and Barry was given us a lovely granddaughter Toni-Joi, who we spend a lot of time with. Toni-Joi is a delight to be with. Toni-Joi has been brought up to know who Finley is and is always happy to talk about her mummy’s Charity work.
What Other’s Have Said
“Since the moment they were called & informed that I’d had a cesarean and that Finley had been born forever asleep, they have been there for us. They came to see us in the hospital, spending time with Finley. We have some beautiful photos together. They held us up at the funeral – almost 3 years to the day from our wedding, in the same church we married in. They always talk about Finley, remember him on his birthday and Christmas, include him as their grandchild. She can often be found helping me on stalls, and at events.”