Hospital art pays tribute to baby loss families

A sculpture has been installed outside a hospital in tribute to families impacted by baby loss.

Put in place outside the women's and children's unit at Peterborough City Hospital, the handcrafted butterfly is made of metal.

The idea for the sculpture was proposed by midwife Afton Cope, whose baby, Charlie, died following a complicated pregnancy in 2023.

"I will pass this sculpture every day and remember not only my son, but all the babies that could not stay," she said.

The six-foot (1.82m) wide sculpture also features ornately-crafted birds, flowers and insects and was created by Jeni Cairns.

Cope said: "I know all too well how it feels to walk in these hospital doors with life growing inside of you, and to walk out with empty arms and an empty womb.

"Our aim here is for bereaved parents to feel seen and acknowledged."

It was hoped families would tie ribbons to the sculpture during national Baby Loss Awareness Week in October.

Cairns, from Coates, near Peterborough, spent two weeks crafting the artwork.

"I hope it will bring comfort to those who have experienced such a sad loss," she said.

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