Oldham couple raise vital funds for maternity units in Royal Oldham hospital

Jessica, Michael and staff at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Parents Jessica and Michael have raised £330 to help support maternity units, purchase equipment and support families at the hospital.

Jessica and Michael Greaves sadly lost their son Dexter when Jessica was 15 weeks pregnant. They took advantage of ‘Dexter’s garden’ that had been set up in the hospital grounds for all bereaved families, to have time to reflect and remember their child.

Jessica said, “We sadly lost our baby Dexter when I was 15 weeks pregnant and we couldn’t really understand why he had passed away. The nurses at the hospital were very supportive. It was only when we were discussing our loss and we were trying to come to terms with losing Dexter that one of the nurses recommended that we visit Dexter’s Garden in the hospital grounds.

We thought that the idea of a baby memorial garden on the hospital grounds was a lovely idea and the fact that it was called Dexter’s Garden really touched us. It’s a really special space, where you can go and have a quiet moment to reflect and remember your child. After hearing about Dexter’s Garden, that spurred Michael and I to show our support for other parents on the maternity units by doing some fundraising.”

The garden is a quiet space for families to pause, reflect and remember the children they have sadly lost. It was launched at the Royal Oldham hospital in October 2018 and was set up by Katie Bowker, a midwife in the maternity department. The project is close to Katie’s heart and a tribute to her son Dexter, who passed away shortly after birth in November 2016.

Katie said, “The idea behind Dexter’s garden is to provide a special place for families who have lost their baby at any stage of pregnancy and after birth. My aim was to provide a safe, quiet place for families where they can reflect, mourn and pay tribute to their angel babies. A place that is calm, serene and beautiful.”

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