Money raised from a sponsored walk and other events has been used to provide a special cot for the delivery suite at Nevill Hall Hospital's maternity unit.

The 'cold cot' is designed to enable grieving parents to spend some quiet time with their stillborn babies.

Labour ward manager Louise Taylor says the cot 'will make a huge difference at an emotional time.'

The bulk of the £1,300 was raised through a sponsored walk organised by Emma Jobbins, who lost a baby last year. The balance was made up with funds from the Cwmbran 'Walk to Remember', which supports the unit on an on-going basis.

"When you have a stillbirth you just want to be with your baby for a while. The cold cot gives you that precious extra time," explained Lane Lippiatt, who launched the 'Walk to Remember' two years ago.

"It's always a very painful and depressing thing to go through but this is a way to help make a smoother transition from having the baby to leaving hospital."

Lane has two sons but has also had three stillborn babies and lost a fourth in early pregnancy.

She and others involved in the Walk to Remember not only donate gifts to the unit - including a camera and printer, small Moses baskets, baby hats etc - but also work closely with staff to help them support grieving parents.

"We talk about our own experiences - about what would have helped us.

"When a person dies you have memories of them to hold on to – photographs, mementoes. It's important to have memories of the baby too.

"I've talked to women, now in their 60s and 70s, who lost babies and they say 'I never spoke of it - but I never stopped thinking of it'. Now it's acceptable to grieve for them and it helps.

"An important part of the Walk to Remember is the name reading ceremony. To say aloud the name of the baby you have lost, and for the name to be heard by others, is comforting."

Lane added: "We want people to know there is support available from others who have gone through the same experience.

"We would also like to thank all those supporters who have donated raffles prizes, helped with the walk and taken part in sponsored events."

You can contact the group by email: [email protected]">[email protected]