AN appeal has gone out to the Bathurst community to help a mother on her quest to make a time of absolute heartache easier for families.
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Five years ago, Kym Loader and her husband experienced the devastating loss of their first child, Sophia.
Ms Loader was 40 weeks pregnant at the time and had gone into labour, but when she arrived at hospital the midwives couldn't find a heartbeat.
Following her stillbirth, they were able to keep Sophia with them for a short time, before the nurses kindly took her to the mortuary.
The couple were able to see her again in the morning, but were warned she would be cold and stiff.
After going through that difficult experience, Ms Loader decided that she wanted to raise money to provide a hospital with a cuddle cot, so families can spend more time with their child before having to say goodbye.
"With the cuddle cot, it at least gives another family a chance to have their baby for the whole night, without having to say 'I've just sent my baby down to the morgue'. It just gives them the chance to spend more time with them," she said.
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The cuddle cot is a piece of medical equipment, essentially a bassinet with a cooling system, that allows families to have more than just a few hours to say goodbye to a baby they have lost.
For Ms Loader, that extra time would have made the heartbreaking situation a little bit easier.
"I actually didn't sleep that night at all, so it would have been nice to be able to have her in my arms that whole time," she said.
"I just know it would have been great to be able to keep hold of her that bit longer, rather than having to wait until I could ask someone to go down and get her."
Ms Loader is doing her fundraising through Bears of Hope and needs to raise a total of $6500.
While she can make a request for which hospital receives the cuddle cot, Bears of Hope will make the final decision to ensure it goes where it is needed most.
She has relied on family members and friends to support the campaign, but now she hopes more people in Bathurst can help.
To donate, visit cuddlecot.gofundraise.com.au/page/KymLoader0.
