A CHIPPENHAM family will finally be able to put their stillborn baby to rest after a summer fete raised funds to allow them to buy a headstone for their daughter.

Katie Gray and her partner Jonny lost their daughter Millie in November last year after she was stillborn at 37 weeks, and have been unable to afford a headstone for their lost child.

Miss Gray’s friend, Natasha Snell, organised a summer fun fete at Pewsham Community Centre on Sunday to try and raise money for the headstone, as well as equipment for the Bath RUH where Millie was delivered.

“It was absolutely amazing; I can’t believe how many people turned up,” said Miss Snell, who has been friends with Miss Gray for three years.

“I was panicking that no-one was going to come but in the end we raised £880, plus the £455 we had on the JustGiving page before.

“Katie didn’t go but Jonny did; I think it was all a bit too much for Katie but we had a picture of Millie up in the corner and it was lovely that everyone was there.

“I think Jonny was blown away by the support.

“My parents were running the plant stall and people were buying £2 worth of plants, giving them £10 and not wanting any change, which was fantastic.

“Because they’re a local family everyone wanted to chip in.”

Activities at the event included a bouncy castle, tombola, face painting and cake, plant and book stalls.

The remaining money will go towards a special cot at The Forget Me Not suite at Bath RUH. The suite allows families who have lost a baby privacy, space and time to grieve.

“I think we smashed it a little bit more than we thought we would but I need to get together with Katie and Jonny and decide what we’re going to do,” added Miss Snell, 39, who has been with partner Paul for three years and has two children, six-year-old Lacey and 16-month-old Lyla.

“We think it costs £1,600 for the cot but we’re not sure if we can get it cheaper through the hospital so we’re in the middle of trying to find out the best way.”