Fundraiser aids healing process (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fundraiser aids healing process

James and Sally Moore raised funds for the GWH baby care unit after the death of their son Taylor Ref: 100590-20A couple who did not want the death of their newborn son to be in vain have raised thousands of pounds for the Great Western Hospital.

Taylor James Moore was born on Sunday, July 31, suffering breathing difficulties.

He lived for a matter of hours and died of asphyxia the following day.

Devastated by his death, his parents Sarah and James were determined that something good would come of the tragedy.

Sarah, 26, said: "It was a couple of weeks after that James said to me he would really like to do something.

"It has really helped with the healing process.

"It gives you something to focus on and you know that something good is going to come of it."

Spurred on by the heartache, the couple, from Abbey Meads, raised £5,700, part of which will go to St Michael's in Bristol where Taylor was transferred for a short time before returning to GWH.

But for Sarah there was a time when she was so low she could not have thought about doing such a thing.

She said: "It was a very traumatic time. I can't explain what it was like to go through.

"You're just in a daze. It's not until after that you think back and realise how much effort the nurses put in to look after us and Taylor."

It was that effort that made the couple want to do something for both the hospitals.

Sarah said: "The hospitals were very caring and considerate and helped us through it."

Both the GWH and St Michael's will each receive £2,850 after the couple held a charity golf tournament in October as part of the Taylor James Memorial Fund.

James, 26, a sales manager, added: "We just couldn't fault them. They cared for our son and supported us after he died. It's our way of saying thank you."

The day, at Caversham Heath Golf Club, proved such a hit that the couple, who also have a two-year-old daughter Jessica, have decided to make it an annual event.

Sarah said: "We were amazed it went so well and we really appreciated everyone's help.

"Hopefully we will be able to do it every year. We have booked the same golf course for next year and it would be a nice way to remember Taylor by."

Alyson McSherry, the nurse manager at GWH, said the cash would benefit children in the future.

"We are so grateful to Sarah and James for their very generous donationof £2,850," she said.

"The money will be used to purchase equipment for the benefit of our tiny babies at the baby care unit."

For information on next year's fundraiser email James on jrc.moore@ntlworld.com.

Victoria Ashford