Parents of baby boy who died from rare infection at Epsom Hospital speak about darkest' moment

"We think about our son every day he is part of everything we do. We will never get to see George reach milestones like taking his first steps, saying his first words, or starting school. That loss is felt every day. So being able to say his name and honour his memory publicly is incredibly important to us."

"After George died, the bereavement team helped guide us through the darkest time in our lives with empathy and respect. By fundraising, we hope to help the team continue their vital work, ensuring more families receive the same compassionate, specialist care that we did."

Jodie Picknett and her husband Ben lost their newborn son George after he became unwell with jaundice following his birth at Epsom Hospital and died aged eight days in the special care baby unit in April 2023. A post-mortem identified a severe enterovirus infection, an illness that is usually mild but can be fatal for newborns. The Picknetts are raising funds to ensure the hospital's maternity bereavement team can continue offering specialist, compassionate support. Bereavement midwife Lydia Baker assisted the family, liaising with the coroner and funeral directors. Charity funds supply hand, foot and full 3D memory casts and a ribbon display at the local church. The family has two other children born at the same hospital.

Read at www.standard.co.uk