Mum’s special event to buy a cuddle cot

Danielle is pictured with, from left to right: daughter Faye Orton, Scholes cricketer Hasan Ali, husband David Watson with baby Leo, Scholes cricketer Matthew Holmes, daughter Ebonie and son Tyger.

Mum of four Danielle Watson is organising a charity cricket match and a family day this weekend to fund a cuddle cot for Rotherham Hospital so bereaved mums can spend time with their stillborn babies.

Danielle (35), of Kimberworth Park, has suffered two stillbirths but said being able to use the cuddle cot had helped her “massively”.

Now she wants to help others who are going through the same tragedy of losing a child and is pulling together an event this Sunday.

She said: “These cots are rare as they are so expensive which means that some families are unfortunately going home without spending time with their children that are stillborn.

“I want to donate one in memory of my two daughters and while doing so I’d like to raise awareness that stillbirth is such a real thing and a tragedy that families go through.

“It really does help to be able to spend time with your baby — it makes a difference.

“It helped me massively.

“That time I had with my daughter before she was taken away is memories I’ve got forever.”

Danielle is hosting a family fun day and a T20 charity cricket match at Scholes Cricket Club between 10am and 5pm, with all money raised going to the Purple Butterfly Appeal at the Rotherham Hospital.

Anything left over after funding the cot will be donated to Sands, a stillborn charity.

Danielle said she wanted to thank friends Olivia Ward and Sharon Oxley for helping with the initial idea of the fundraiser.

If you can’t attend on the day, you can donate at https://tinyurl.com/CricketDayScholes.