A FUNDRAISING family have a new weapon in their fight to raise awareness of the condition that took their daughter.
Simon Cheffings, originally of Rhyl, and his wife Sharon have been producing mugs and keyrings bearing the image of baby Freya who died in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan due to birth complications caused by vasa praevia.
Simon, who is planning a daring shark dive alongside friend Bokani Hanyane of Abergele, has already raised £160 for the Vasa Praevia Raising Awareness charity in memory of his daughter, but the family hopes to reach their £5,000 target with the help of supporters.
Sharon said: “The mugs, bags and keyrings are all available online at www.zazzle.co.uk/cheffings. People have been taking them into busy work places and shopping with them, and it has generated a lot of discussion and awareness of Vasa Praevia which is exactly what we want.”
Little Freya died just a few hours after birth due to blood loss caused by the condition.
“About 95 per cent of Vasa Praevia cases not diagnosed before birth result in the death of a full term healthy baby at birth.Those lucky to survive suffer harrowing birth experiences and risk brain damage and disability but this can all be prevented. If diagnosed in pregnancy and a management plan is observed, there is a 100 per cent survival rate.”
Currently the famlly have raised £1297 which will go toward the charity.
Sharon said: “VPRA are doing amazing work in raising awareness. We really must get the message out to everyone, especially medical professionals and pregnant women. There are leaflets for both staff and patients on: www.vasapraevia.co.uk we urge everyone to take a look - it really could save your baby’s life.”