A BEREAVEMENT suite at a maternity unit in Winchester has been reopened and named after a £4000 refurbishment.

The reopening of the Butterfly suite at Florence Portal House at Royal Hampshire County Hospital was celebrated in style by midwives and former patients who have lost young ones.

Former patient Claire Ward,35, from Eastleigh was inspired to make the room a nicer place after her daughter Evelyn was stillborn at the hospital in March of last year.

After seeing the room needed work, she set about raising £4000 for the refurbishment, she did this by taking part in sponsored walks, creating craft products, and her husband taking part in Pretty Muddy.

While her friend Hayley Evans from Eastleigh who also had a stillborn baby at the hospital, did a skydive to raise money for a cuddle cot.

The cot has Evelyn's name on it and has been placed in the room to give parents extra time with their baby.

Claire hopes that the room, which will also have the name of charities that can help bereaved parents, can help families in their darkest hours.

Claire said: "It looks amazing now it had not been touched in 10 years, it was in a bad state of repair. The midwives are happy with how it looks, it looks nice and fresh like a home-from-home.

"When we were told that our baby had no heartbeat in that moment your world crashing down. I am hoping with Evelyn's name being in the room and the charities I have been working with - that the parents who come in won't feel quite so isolated and feel on their own."