A former Bangor Rugby Club player has donated over £3,000 to support the Ulster Hospital’s Forget Me Not Focus Group.
Through his former employer, US owned global engineering organisation, E&C Crane Engineering Experts, Donaghadee man Phil Whyte successfully secured £3,634 for the group, which provides support to parents who have experienced the devastating loss of a baby or child.
The donation is particularly meaningful to Phil and his wife, Carley, who were supported by the Forget Me Not Group following the stillbirth of their daughter, Sophie, on 8 November 2019.
Phil explained, “Earlier this year, as part of E&C Crane’s philanthropy initiative, I applied for funding and explained how it would benefit the Forget Me Not Group. In my application, I explained the invaluable support the group provides to bereaved parents and the difference it makes during the most difficult of times.
“I was delighted when the company accepted my application. Even though I have since left the organisation, it is a testament to the company that they awarded the funding to the Forget Me Not Group.”
Phil continued, “I know that funding is not always easy to come by and this amount is a way of saying thank you to the Forget Me Not Group, the Bereavement Midwives and all the staff at the Ulster Hospital Maternity Unit.”
South Eastern Trust, Interim Lead Midwife, Sarah McKevitt added, “We want to say thank you to Phil and to E&C Crane for thinking of us and for this very kind donation. This funding will go a long way to supporting our families and our staff to care for our parents.”