A local bereavement charity, The Madison Shelbie Trust, received a donation from the former Mayor of Ledbury, Cllr Debbie Baker.

During her mayoral year, Cllr Baker chose The Madison Shelbie Trust as one of her chosen charities, and she raised £2,200 for the group.

Sam Jones, founder of The Madison Shelbie Trust, told the Ross Gazette that the charity provides emotional support and counselling for parents after a baby is stillborn.

Sam has done a lot of work in the Ross-on-Wye area, supporting bereaved mums and families.

Sam added: “We also provide miscarriage support to a number of women in Ross. We are the only bereavement support in the area that offers this.”

The trust has also had many dealings with the Ross-based charity, Rocky-Lee’s Little Feet, which gives support to bereaved parents by helping to pay for headstones. It also provides help at Hereford County Hospital’s maternity unit.

Sam explained: “Their help is very different to what we provide, we are very different charities but compliment and gel together perfectly. I refer any parents who are unable to afford a headstone, et cetera to Rocky-Lee’s Little Feet, and they refer to me for parents needing emotional support or counselling et cetera. We also provide emotional support arranging the funeral.”

The Madison Shelbie Trust was set up by Sam after her own daughter was stillborn, and she wanted to do something to raise awareness for a grief that so many people face, and to offer support to help those affected by the loss.

She said: “If you anyone needs support, or would like to help volunteer for us, or if you would like to donate to us, please contact us via [email protected].”

Sam added that she would like to thank everyone who donated towards Cllr Baker’s fundraising efforts.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition.