On 30th August 2024 our world changed forever when our baby boy was born sleeping, Oliver Edward Davison. I was 5 months pregnant lying on the hospital bed when the doctor touched my arm and said the words every parent dreads. ‘I’m so sorry, your baby’s heart has stopped beating’. It’s hard to explain your feelings in that moment except for utter devastation. It’s as if everything is in slow motion and your whole world crashes right in front of you. Everything you thought mattered no longer does, and as your world shatters you are helpless. You’re stuck in time, never to be the same again, trying to survive in a world of grief.

Following the scan my body went into a horrifically painful labour. I was scheduled to go back to the hospital 2 days later to give birth. In those 2 days I wanted to go shopping and buy the baby things I hadn’t had the chance to get, including one of my favourite books ‘Guess How Much I Love You’. All I wanted was to read this to Oliver and give him a special teddy. But that night I was in so much pain. Chris woke up about 4am to find me lying on the floor in pain desperate to hold off going to the hospital so I could go shopping and buy things for Oliver. I just kept thinking I need to wait until the shops open and as soon as I have what I needed then I could go to the hospital. But Chris was worried and we drove to the hospital. There, we were taken to a bereavement suit where I gave birth to our beautiful and perfect baby boy.

Following Oliver’s birth we were handed a memory box from the charity 4Louis. We opened the box to find 2 teddies, one for us and one for Oliver. A hand and foot print pack so we have Oliver’s hand and feet prints forever, (Chris has them tattooed on him). As well as lots of other items for Oliver, including the book I was so desperate to read, ‘Guess How Much I Love You’. This meant we were able to make memories with Oliver and as a family. We kept one of the teddy’s with Oliver to keep him safe and we took one home with us to treasure.

Instead of leaving the hospital with our baby we left clutching the memory box. It was the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do.

After the pregnancy we did some online research into 4Louis and found that they are a local charity from Sunderland.

A few months ago during a visit to the North East we visited 4Louis. We wanted to thank them for Oliver’s memory box so volunteered for the day, packing memory boxes in Oliver’s name. We were blown away by the incredible work they do for bereaved families. They provide memory boxes to over 200 hospitals for families who find themselves in the heartbreaking position we did.

A team are attempting the 3 peaks challenge on 30th May in memory of Oliver and raising money for 4Louis. Climbing the 3 highest peaks in the UK. Starting at Ben Nevis in Scotland, then onto Scarfall Pike in England and lastly climbing Snowdon in Wales all in 24 hours. Making a total ascent of over 3000 meters.

We will always be Oliver’s parents but we can’t parent him in the conventional way. But by doing challenges and raising money for baby loss charities we can keep his memory alive and make him proud.