The Cára Rose Trust To Provide A Helping Hand

“When we returned that day we were told that our precious baby had no heartbeat as you can only imagine our whole world fell apart.  We named her Cára Rose.  Three years on and we were blessed to be given two more beautiful girls Christina Maria and Dreanna Margaret. “When we lost Cára Rose we were surprised at how little local support there was for families affected by this awful tragedy. After thinking it through for three years we decided to set up the above Trust in memory of our daughter for families in Northern Ireland to have the support, awareness and education of stillbirth. It will not be registered properly as a charity until October, but plans are moving ahead well to get everything in place. “This trauma happens happens 17 times a day in the UK.  There are a lot of charities in the mainland of the UK and I feel that the people of Northern Ireland needed that level of local support within their own community and country.” To date, Julanne and Chris have been very busy having thrown themselves into the new charity. They have set up a board of trustees, and are currently getting a website set up. They have a Facebook page active already. The copuple  hope eventually to have their services available covering the province but initially they will be focussed much in Co Down. Like any new organisation they are busy with development issues and have already looked at taking on volunteers who will be trained to work in the charity. Chris said, “My experience of the death of our child was something a bit different from Julianne’s who had already carried her and was physically close to her. I carried her into the church for her funeral, and even organised the headstone for the grave. This experience was something we just could not imagine. It was a huge blow to us and only now are we able to really be able to fully understand it and share our experiences. “We were both just 23 years old then. One moment we were leaping for joy, then we were devasted , just feeling robbed. Many people don’t realise that the father too feels a tremendous loss as well as the mother. “When we got her personal belongings such as her identity strap and little blanket from the hospital it was in a cardboard box. We would like to get small wooden boxed made which would be more long lasting for these items which parents are left holding onto in their sadness.  If we could we would like to also help out parents who needed the help with the cost of a headstone for their child and with the funeral.” [caption id="attachment_26183" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Julianne and Chris Williams have decided to set up a Trust to support families who experience the loss of stillbirth."][/caption] Strangford MP Jim Shannon has backed the couples efforts to get the charity of the ground. He said, “Julianne and Chris Williams are making a positive  attempt to set up a support system for those who have had still births in hospitals across the Province . I was touched by Julianne’s personal story and the fact that in a time of deep sorrow and pain she saw a need that is not being met and now is working hard to see that change not only in her own area, but in every area of the Province. “Already a lot of work has been done within the Ulster Hospital and I will be eager to help in any way that I can with this most worthy cause. We can never understand the pain that a family goes through in this circumstance but we can provide help and support and this is what this is all about. I congratulate Julianne for her vision and urge all to get on board with project in any way that they can.”

Jullianne added, “We do not underestimate the task that lies ahead of us. Training will be an important issue and fundraising like any charity of this sort will also keep us very busy. Ultimately we would love to see a quiet space for a memorial set aside somewhere for these children who have passed away. To date we have spoken to many professionals who have lent their support which is very encouraging. “Our first main fundraiser, a craft fair, is coming up on Saturday 27th August at St Patrick’s Church in Newtownards. We hope also to have a special day each year to remember all the babies who have died in stillbirth. There will be no turning back then from this. There is definitely a need for this Trust in Northern Ireland and I am sure we will receive support from the many agencies and communities.” Even though three years may have passed since the death of Cára Rose, in talking to Julianne and Chris, the love for their lost child remains as a lasting legacy to their grief. The Cára Rose Trust website is still under construction but Julianne and Chris can be reached at the Facebook page on: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cára-Rose-Trust/115499145208320]]>