Yahoo News Women who donate bespoke funeral gowns for babies and children desperate for new premises
A pair of Grimsby women who turn donated wedding dresses into outfits for deceased children and stillborn babies have said they're in dire need of new premises.
Louise Drakes and Wendy Freeman, who run Angel Gowns GYCUK, say they have to leave Welholme Works community centre by July 20 which gives them just a few weeks to get sorted. In the meantime, they are trying to officially register as a charity.
"We have huge amounts of parcels to go out across the country for free to hospitals," said Louise. She said they are "looking for a free space or peppercorn rent".
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Describing what it's like to create the tiny funeral garments, Wendy, 50, told Grimsby Live: "It's very emotional but I know it's for a very good cause as I lost a baby. I never got the chance to have a gown so I know the parents would feel better having one".
Wendy, who lost her baby 24 years ago, has been making the gowns since December 2020. She said: "I started making lip reading face masks for Louise when lockdown first came in. Then I was donated a sewing machine to make them.
"Then somebody said, 'Why don't you make angel gowns?' I started making them because, years ago, I donated my wedding dress to a Grimsby group but I found out they sold my dress and they moved away. After a few months, I got Louise to join me as I was gifted loads of wedding dresses and I needed help."
Angel Gowns provides free funeral garments for losses in pregnancy, baby loss, and for children. How it works is charitable people donate their wedding and prom dresses which are then recycled into outfits for boys and girls using the sewing skills of talented volunteers.
These outfits - which can be gowns, cocoons, cradle hats, and booties - are then sent out to hospitals, hospices, and celebrants using volunteer riders. They also offer an emergency service where you can request items personally for babies and children.
Louise said Angel Gowns would consider premises in towns and villages outside Grimsby, such as Immingham and Caistor. If anyone knows of anything suitable they are asked to contact Louise on l.drakes@btinternet.com
