Video: The tram unveiling
The couple who raised over £200,000 to be used on new facilities for parents of stillborn babies at Nottingham hospitals now have a tram named after them.
Richard and Michelle Daniels set up the charity Forever Stars in 2013 following the loss of their baby daughter, Emily, who was stillborn.
A new bereavement facility for families of stillborn babies opened last year at Queen’s Medical Centre and fundraising is currently underway to open a similar facility at Nottingham City Hospital later this year.
Richard Daniels said: “Michelle and I are very honoured to have been given the NET Community Hero Award, the City of Nottingham have really taken Forever Stars to their hearts and helped us develop the support for bereaved families in Nottingham.
“Over the next 12 months we will look forward to working with NET and the people of Nottingham as we try to lift the taboo of talking about stillbirth and raise money towards our second bereavement suite.”
The couple set out to initially raise £25,000 but were quickly met with huge support from the local community including Nottingham trams.
At the unveiling today Michelle Daniels said: “It has been an incredible journey, obviously nothing will take away that devastation that we experienced at the time but it has given us a new lease of life with the enthusiasm and support people have shown for the charity.
“To achieve something fantastic out of a very sad situation is a wonderful experience.”
Peter Homa, NUH Chief Executive, said: “What Richard and Michelle have achieved is nothing short of remarkable, I had the pleasure of meeting this inspirational couple, who have become friends of our hospital, at the end of 2016.
“Richard and Michelle have and continue to make a significant contribution to improving facilities at our hospitals for patients and their families who have experienced loss.”
Stephanie Moss-Pearce, NET’s Assistant Marketing Manager, said: “Tram number 222 is kept aside to honour community heroes as we celebrate the tram network’s birthday each year.
“We think Michelle and Richard, whose work has helped so many other grieving parents across Nottingham, are a really deserving couple and if it helps to keep their charity in the local spotlight so much the better.
“The tram naming builds on our strong ties with Nottingham’s hospitals. Once again we’re supporting this year’s Nurse & Midwife of the Year Awards, whilst work has also recently begun on the dedicated bridge walkway from our QMC stop directly into the hospital.”
