ACCOUNTANTS at the innovative firm, Thorne Widgery, have handed over a cheque to Hereford County Hospital's Born Sleeping Appeal following their fundraising in 2018.

The practice, which has offices in Hereford and Ludlow, spent the end of the year holding a number of events for the fundraising campaign, which aims to raise £75,000 to create a dedicated maternity bereavement suite designed for mothers experiencing pregnancy loss.

The new suite, which is due to open later this year, will create a comfortable environment where parents can receive the care and support, they need at a time of great difficulty.

Thorne Widgery's decision to choose the appeal was inspired by the story of Angela Warren who works in the firm's payroll team.

She recently lost a grandchild and understood the need for a facility at the hospital.

She said: "This fundraising and the appeal means a lot to my family and I. When I lost my first grandson there was nowhere for us to go, other than to wait on the maternity ward, which was not the best place for us at the time.

"This would have been such a benefit to us, to deal with the situation. It's just what Hereford needs.

"Everyone at Thorne Widgery has been very positive about the fundraising and has got behind it. In my mind, every little bit helps and I am very grateful for Thorne Widgery's support."

Driven by the work of the appeal, Thorne Widgery's team managed to raise £150 through a company bake-off with staff voting for their preferred cakes and treats with donations and a Christmas jumper day.

This will go towards the appeal which hopes to complete work on the new suite by Easter 2019, with the hospital anticipating that the fund will continue to be supported well into the future.

Katie Farmer, fundraiser at Hereford County Hospital's Born Sleeping Appeal, said: "We've listened to many bereaved families to hear how facilities at the hospital could be improved, what we can do differently and what they would like to see within the unit and so, with this in mind, we hope to continue raising money to provide specialist bereavement training for midwifery staff and ensuring that there is always a plentiful supply of information for families on hand, a listening ear and support."

Stephen Smallwood, managing director at Thorne Widgery, added: "We are really proud of the team for getting behind this cause and raising so much money for the appeal. We hope this money will go towards the ongoing support that this new unit will provide."