Swindon couple find a way to thank NHS staff who cared for late daughter

A Swindon couple who experienced a tragic loss organised a fundraiser as a way of thanking the kind hospital staff who helped them during their time of need.

Tom and Becky Williams from Redhouse worked with William Morris School in Tadpole Garden Village to join Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal by taking part in a Wrong Trousers Day on Friday.

Their children Elsie and Arthur, along with the school's other pupils, left their usual uniform at home and instead wore colourful trousers and shorts in memory of their late sibling Mabel Olivia Williams.

The hundreds of pounds generously donated via https://mabeloliviawilliams.muchloved.com will go to Cots for Tots, which helps fund the Natal Intensive Care Unit ward at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol.

This is where little Mabel spent six days in September 2023 after complications during her birth led to a lack of oxygen that prematurely ended her life.

Becky told the Adver: "Seeing a school full of children all dressed in funky trousers and shorts, knowing it was all in memory of Mabel, made me super emotional but incredibly proud.

"It was heartwarming, and a nice opportunity for Elsie and Arthur to talk about their sister.

"It's been an emotional nine months. The school has supported them fantastically and was more than willing to take part in the fundraiser.

"The care given at St Michael's was second to none, the staff went above and beyond to help. While our outcome was tragic, you can't put a price on the care they gave.

"I couldn't even walk to begin with, I'd lost a lot of blood and needed three transfusions, so I was bedbound, but they rearranged the ward to fit my bed in so I could be with Mabel.

"Tom stayed at the Cots for Tots house all week so he didn't have to travel back and forth from Swindon, which is a long way away to be from your baby when she's extremely poorly.

"You don't think you'll ever need something like that until you do. If we can help other parents going through the trauma we experienced, that would be a nice legacy for Mabel.

"People have been incredibly generous and some of the parents we spoke to mentioned that their child had been cared for in the same ward and the staff had been just as outstanding.

"We'll continue doing other fundraisers - our eldest son is doing a skydive in August- because it's a lovely way to remember Mabel and keep her name alive."