A couple from Cavenham are planning to cycle the equivalent of 300 miles to France in a bid to raise money for the bereavement and labour suites at the West Suffolk Hospital.

Molly and Jack Deal are to carry out the ride next month from their home on a static bike riding the distance from Bury St Edmunds to its French twin town of Compiegne.

Their bid to raise the money comes after their daughter was born prematurely at the hospital on New Year’s Eve at just 16 weeks and six days. Twenty-seven-year-old Molly, who is a sales executive at Treatt, said: “On the most difficult day of our lives, the midwives at West Suffolk Hospital gave us the most amazing support and kindness. To them they are just doing their jobs, but to us they are heroes.

“We named our daughter after one of the midwives who looked after us during our time in hospital.

“We were made to feel comfortable as possible on the labour ward and appreciated the personal space provided by the bereavement suite.

“Neither of us are cyclists or have done anything like this before, so other than sore backsides we have no idea what we’re letting ourselves in for.

“We hope to raise as much money as possible for this amazing cause and any donations would mean the world to us.”

Molly and Jack, 31, who is an accountant, named their daughter Kendall and the couple want to recognise the very special care and attention they both received following their loss.

Molly added: “All the midwives were so caring as it was such an awful situation for us but they helped us to make it more bearable. They were just there for us and they were there for us until we went home.

“The support that we had we did not expect and we had a service for Kendall.”
A campaign to fund the bereavement suite was set up by the My WiSH Charity which supports the work of the hospital and was opened in July 2018.

It provides a calm, comfortable space where families will be able to receive psychological and practical support following the loss of a baby.

Three rooms have been decorated and consist of the main bedroom, wet room and a kitchen/sitting room which is also used for counselling purposes.
Sue Smith, head of fundraising, said: “We are so pleased we were able to provide this bereavement suite. Knowing the difference, it has made to Jack and Molly, and to others like them, makes all the work to fundraise for such a project worthwhile. This is a difficult challenge for the couple both physically and mentally but we will be here supporting them all the way”.

To support Molly and Jack go to their website https://www.justgiving.com/jack-deal5