A COVENTRY mum is continuing her work for her charity which gives grieving parents the chance to spend more time with their stillborn babies.
Sharon Luca-Chatha started the organisation in 2018 in memory of her son Luca who was stillborn at almost full term almost ten years ago.
Thousands of pounds have been raised for the Luca Foundation which buys and repairs refrigerated ‘cuddle cots’ – the device which enables grieving parents the extra time with their stillborn babies.
Since its launch, the Foundation has repaired 18 cuddle cots and donated three brand new ones to hospitals.
On June 25, to mark Luca’s 10th birthday, The Foundation is hosting a dinner and dance at Coombe Abbey.
Sharon is looking to make an even wider impact on caring for bereaved parents across the country.
Sharon said: “As I look back at Luca’s stillbirth, I realise that was the defining moment when I decided I wanted every grieving parent to have access to a cuddle cot.
“The cot acts like a refrigerator so it keeps the body cold, which allows the parents extra precious time to help the grieving process when at its most raw.
“Luca is leaving a legacy that is bigger than all of us, and we are immensely proud.”
Cuddle cots are not seen as essential, but Sharon said she believed there should be a fully refurbished cot installed in every hospital in the country.
“The difference it would have made to me and my husband, Jas, in our mourning process would have been life-altering.
“I considered attempting to take my own life following the loss of Luca, and I do not want any other parent to go through the same unthinkable scenario we did.”
Sharon still takes inspiration from her son, even adding his name to their surname.
A week before Luca’s first birthday, Sharon gave birth to her ‘rainbow’ child Ky, but his cord was wrapped around his neck twice.
“If he had gone any longer, he would have suffocated and we’d have lost a second child.
“It is vitally important to make sure you take responsibility for your baby’s growth chart to make sure they are monitored closely.”
She added 80 per cent of stillbirths were preventable.
“We’re aiming to spread awareness of how to avoid this wherever we can.”
Click here for more about the dinner and dance at Coombe Abbey.
