SUFFOLK: A maternity ward is today one step closer to buying a birthing pool thanks to the fundraising efforts of a couple who lost their new-born baby.

SUFFOLK: A maternity ward is today one step closer to buying a birthing pool thanks to the fundraising efforts of a couple who lost their new-born baby.

Last November June Cox, 37, gave birth to a little girl, Emma, at Ipswich Hospital. She had a water birth in the specially designed bath in the Brook Ward.

Tragically, complications arose and within an hour-and-a-half, Emma passed away.

Following Emma's death, both Mrs Cox and husband Roger, 41, launched a fundraising drive so that something good could emerge from their grief.

In total more than �1,800 was raised from donations from family, friends and colleagues, and this will be put towards purchasing a state-of-the art birthing pool for the unit.

Mrs Cox, who discovered she was pregnant again in February and is due any day now, said: “It was such a terrible, traumatic thing to go through. It is so hard and we are still grieving.

“We wanted to get a positive from a very sad situation so we set up a collection fund for the Brook Ward. We want to say thanks to the ward. Nobody there could have been kinder.

“We were gobsmacked by people's generosity and kindness. People felt they wanted to do something.”

Throughout her current pregnancy, staff at the hospital have been monitoring her closely and although she will not be having a water birth this time, she endorses the experience wholeheartedly.

Mrs Cox, from Bramfield, near Halesworth, added: “I found the water birth really did help. The actual birth was a wonderful experience.”

The birthing pool will cost �15,000 and so far the fund is up to �4,000.

Mary Shilton, ward matron, said: “It would be a really positive help that we could offer to women.”

Anyone who wants to donate money to the appeal can send a cheque to Ipswich Hospital, marked Brook Birthing Pool Fund (Brook Ward), or can call the ward for more details on 01473 703075.

Have you raised money for a good cause following a bad experience? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.