Couple raise over £23,000 for Stars Appeal Benson Suite

Tuesday, 29 October 2024 06:00

Neal and Els Riley presenting the funds raised for the Benson Suite to Midwife Maria Bartlett

A couple who were supported by the Stars Appeal Benson Suite after the loss of their baby son and daughter have raised over £23,000 in their memory for the charity.

Neal Riley and his wife Els lost their son Oscar at 31 weeks in January 2023. The couple’s “world fell apart again” in November of that year when they lost their daughter Sophie at 35 weeks.

The Benson Suite within the Maternity Department at Salisbury District Hospital provides a dedicated, private space where families who sadly experience the death of a baby at birth can be cared for with their baby, away from the Labour Ward. The specialist suite helps ensure the time these families are able to spend with their baby is as precious, dignified and personal as possible.

Neal and Els with the support of friends and family have been raising money over the last 18 months. Neal and his friends took on a 100-hole golf challenge in June at Rushmore Golf Club, which raised over £16,000. The challenge, which started at 4.20am, took over 16 hours to complete and saw the team walk over 30 miles.

They previously completed a 72-hole golf fundraiser, raising over £4,500. Since January 2023, £23,512 has been raised for the Benson Suite in memory of Oscar and Sophie.

Neal said: “I’m immensely proud of the team and the amount of money we have raised for a charity that is so close to our hearts. The day was a massive success, lots of people turned up to welcome us home. We all had a few aching bones on the Monday morning after the golf marathon. Thank you to everyone who has supported us.”

Speaking of the support they received at the Benson Suite and from the Stars Appeal Bereavement Midwife, Neal and Els said: “The Benson Suite provided a space where we could process the tragedy and come to terms with losing Oscar and Sophie. The staff were incredible, supporting us throughout and making us feel at ease.”