A COMBER mum has completed the town’s 10k to raise money for the Ulster Hospital’s Forget Me Not focus group, following the loss of her baby earlier this year.
Sarah McGourty took part in the run in June in memory of her daughter, Poppy, who was born on April 2. Ms McGourty said fundraiser was her way of thanking the bereavement midwifery team at the hospital for the support and compassion they gave her before and after her loss.
“After losing Poppy, I felt a deep need to give something back to the bereavement midwives who supported me so compassionately during such a painful time,” she said. “That is what inspired me to start running again and to sign up for the Comber 10k as a way to begin raising funds.
“Running became a much needed outlet, giving me space to process our loss. I completed all my training runs at Billy Neill Country Park, where the Forget Me Not trees are planted in memory of precious babies. Passing those beautiful trees during each run gave me the strength to keep going.”
Sarah explained that she was in her second trimester when a scan showed Poppy no longer had a heartbeat. She spent four days in the maternity unit, where she was supported by bereavement midwives Susan Stitt and Jacqueline Dorrian.
“I spent four days in the unit and during that time, Susan Stitt, one of the bereavement midwives, gave me incredible support. She spent time with me before Poppy was born, helping me prepare for the difficult days ahead. Her kindness and the time she gave meant so much, and it truly helped me face what was to come,” she said.
“Bereavement midwife Jacqueline Dorrian was with me the day after Poppy was born. She sat with me and helped me process the whole experience. Both Susan and Jacqueline were such a great support for me, they are angels on earth, so selfless and experienced.”
So far, Sarah’s efforts have raised £900 which will go towards the purchase of a cuddle cot for use by other families experiencing the loss of a child. Sarah has now joined the Forget Me Not focus group, which supports bereaved families connected to the maternity unit.
South Eastern Trust bereavement midwife Jacqueline Dorrian said: “We are so thankful to Sarah for thinking of us and others in her grief. It was an honour and a privilege for me to spend time with Sarah after the birth of Poppy and we really appreciate her and her family’s very generous and kind donation.”
