Esther

Expert knitter Esther Roberts is helping to bring comfort to parents facing the loss of a baby born early.

Esther answered a call for help from Hereford Hospital for knitwear for use in the neo-natal and special care baby unit.

The beautifully knitted covers fit around ice cream tubs to make cribs whist the tiny shawls fit the stillborn babies perfectly, allowing parents to see their child at rest as they say goodbye.

Esther, 90, a resident at Railway Housing Association’s Great Western Court in Hereford, remembers vividly as child being taught to knit by her father who was serving in the army.

 She knows what the parents of babies born sleeping are going through, though thankfully there is more support available nowadays.

“Sixty years ago, I was pregnant but lost the child at four months and in those days we weren’t even told whether it was a boy or a girl” said Esther.

“When I saw the advert, I thought I’d like to help others who find themselves in that situation. It is heart breaking but at least now there is a chance for parents to see and hold their child and to say goodbye which I feel will make a difference. I’ve had a lovely letter from the bereavement midwife at the hospital saying how much the knitwear is appreciated.”

As well as the shawls and crib blankets for babies born sleeping, Esther has also knitted woolly hats for premature babies which the hospital uses in the special care baby unit. And she also knits trauma teddies for use by emergency services to comfort children at the scenes of incidents.