A COUPLE whose baby daughter was stillborn are raising money and providing support for other parents in the same situation.

Just weeks before Christmas last year, Abra and Christopher Wood, both 24, were told the devastating news that their little girl had no heartbeat.

Esmae-Grace was stillborn at 32 weeks on December 2, after suffering from acute umbilical cord compression.

Mrs Wood, of Otterburn Close, Darlington, said: “I couldn’t take it in at first. I kept looking at her thinking she was breathing.

“I was in shock and I think it probably wasn’t until her funeral that I realised she was gone.

“There was nothing wrong with her, it was a tragic accident. The doctor said that unless I was on a monitor 24/7 there was no way of knowing it was going to happen.”

As Mr Wood serves in the Second Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, the couple were living at their base in Cyprus at the time and received a lot of support from the Army, and other military couples.

Following the tragedy the couple, who also have a 22-month-old daughter Evie-Mae, have been fundraising for Sands – the UK’s leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity – and creating memory boxes to help other parents in the same situation.

The personalised boxes are made by Mrs Wood and sent to hospitals or directly to parents who have recently lost a child.

They contain a number of keepsakes, as well as baby clothes, blankets, a balloon to send to heaven, a bag for their baby’s hair, two teddies – one for the parents and one for the baby – and a hand and foot casting kit.

“We have had so much support from people and I wanted to give something back,” said Mrs Wood.

“I didn’t realise how grateful people would be, but I have received messages from all sorts of people, including a lady in America.

“By doing it, I have found lots of other parents in the same situation and we have become really good friends.”

The couple are also hoping to raise £1,500 to buy a cuddle cot, which keep stillborn babies and those who have passed away cool for longer, allowing parents to spend more time with their child.

Mr Wood will be running the Great North Run on Sunday in memory of his daughter, and the couple are hosting a charity bike ride for youngsters in South Park, Darlington, on Sunday, September 27 at 10am.

They are also taking part in the Big Fun Run in Newcastle next month.

To donate search ‘In remembrance of Esmae-Grace' on Facebook.