the Midlands Branch of

Welcome to Samuel’s Boxes Website

Samuel’s Boxes is charitable scheme established in April 2004 which benefits parents and families experiencing the very difficult time of having a stillborn baby or a poorly or premature baby in an Intensive Care or Special Care Baby Unit.

The early delivery of a baby or unexpected news that their baby is very unwell can come as a huge shock. They feel unprepared without so much as a camera to take photos, teddy or blanket for their baby. Often parents spend days keeping a constant vigil by their bedside and are unable to obtain personal belongings for the baby.

Memories of their much loved baby are essential for parents, whether they eventually get to take their baby home or face having to come to terms with their loss. So many parents leave hospital without so much as a photograph or item of their child’s clothing. Samuel’s Boxes aims to make this unbearable situation just a little easier by giving them items with which memories can be made.

The initiative offers these parents, without any cost or commitment from them, a hand crafted ‘memory box’ which can be customised with the child’s name and has useful contents such as disposable camera, a teddy bear, a blanket and notepad and pen which parents can use as they please. (Please jump to The Boxes to view the exact contents)

We would also like to provide the hospitals with poster paint and materials to make hand and foot prints where required. Also, we are talking to Bereavement Midwives about other useful materials we can hopefully get funding for in the future.

Samuel’s Boxes is always in need of funds for boxes. If you would like to make a donation please see the Donations page.

The inspiration....

Samuel Cuthbertson was born October 21st 2003. Sadly he was diagnosed with a very rare condition known as Myotubular Myopathy when he was just two weeks old.

He spent a few weeks in ITU at Heartlands, Birmingham where he was not expected to survive. Having beaten those odds, it was then decided he would move with his mum and dad to spend the remainder of his short life in a Hospice called ACORNS Children’s Hospice in Sellyoak.

He died aged 7 1/2 weeks old on December 12th 2003. If you wish to read about his very happy but sadly cut short life please see his diary www.samuelsdiary.co.uk .

Since then we have managed to raise several thousands of pounds from hundreds of kind people for the ACORNS Children’s Hospice (www.acorns.org.uk). Donations were also given to Heartlands Hospital for their fantastic care - but somehow this did not seem enough.

Joshua’s Story

During my contact with other mums and dads who also had sadly lost their children too, I met a lady who’s son Joshua Beavan had sadly died from a rare condition of the heart at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital.

Joshua’s mum seemed a very strong lady who inspired me with her drive and initiative. She wished to help out others who were seemingly less fortunate than herself because they hadn’t so much as a photo of their child before they had to let them go.

Joshua and his Mum were the founders of the memory box appeal and Joshua shall always be remembered for this. If you wish to see his site or read about his box appeal - here is a link to their site. http://www.joshuasboxes.co.uk