The staff and students at Thornton Academy of Performing Arts in Middlesbrough are fundraising in aid of Billy's Room at James Cook University Hospital.  Billy's Room is a much needed purpose built babies bereavement suite.  We have a dedicated bereavement support counsellor and are currently fundraising to build a counselling room away from the maternity unit for bereaved families.

Our Story ..... on Monday 30th January 2017 at 4.58am one of our teachers Rachel gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Billy Daniel Jones, weighing 7lbs 14oz.  Unfortunately, Billy was seriously ill when he was born and was unable to breathe on his own. Rachel and her partner Dan were told that Billy was extremely poorly and his condition continued to deteriorate.  The following day, they were told the devastating news that there was nothing more that doctors could do for him and Rachel and Dan made the very brave decision to end Billy's suffering, and at 3.30pm on Tuesday 31st January 2017 shortly after his ventilator was removed, Billy went to sleep.  This was all done within the Neonatal Unit, where as a grieving family they had to then walk past parents with their new babies who were getting ready to go home.

Rachel, Dan and Billy were then taken to a bereavement room so that they could be together as a family.  The room allowed them to stay overnight with Billy, where they were able to love, care and most importantly spend precious time with him.  Unfortunately, the
bereavement room is currently located in the Central Delivery Suite of the hospital.  It is in essence another delivery room that contained an ensuite bathroom, sofa bed and kettle.  It was cold, very clinical and most importantly lacking in privacy.  Rachel & Dan were surrounded by mothers giving birth in neighbouring rooms and babies crying whilst they were trying to grieve for their precious baby.  As I'm sure you can imagine this made an already horrendous situation, much, much worse.

The Charity..... With the support of neonatal consultant Dr Garg and the Neonatal Unit we are raising money in Billy's memory to provide a new dedicated bereavement room in James Cook Hospital where parents who have had to endure the loss of their baby during and after birth can have the opportunity, in peace and privacy, to spend time together.  Billy's room will provide future families in this situation with the most important thing of all, time together to make precious memories in a more sensitive environment.  The care that parents receive following the death of their child is crucial, as these experiences will be remembered for the rest of their lives.

💙December 2019 Update.... Billy's Room opened on 6th December 2019 and has been supporting families across the local area at their most difficult time.  We are so grateful for all the support received from so many people in helping to make our dream become a reality.  Billy's legacy will help so many families in the future to make precious memories together.  Please see our press release on the link below

The incredible gesture made by parents who lost baby Billy to help other grieving mums and dads - Teesside Live (gazettelive.co.uk)

💙December 2021 Update.... Counsellor Sharon in post

Billy’s legacy provides further support to bereaved families in Teesside - South Tees Hospital