‘The comfort Abbie’s Fund brings to families is immeasurable’
A charity that provides memory boxes and compassionate support to families grieving the loss of a baby is to benefit from a charity lunch being organised by Women in Business Hull. Held every other year, alternating with the Women of Achievement Awards, the charity lunch is a key date in the Women in Business calendar.
This year, the organisation is proud to support Abbie’s Fund as its chosen charity. Founded in 2010 by Katy Cowell after the stillbirth of her daughter, Abbie, the charity has supported thousands of families across Hull and East Yorkshire, funding bereavement midwives in local hospitals and offering tailored support to children coping with loss.
Tracey Dennison, chair of Women in Business Hull, is a consultant nurse practitioner and Menopause Nurse of the Year 2025. She said Abbie’s Fund is a cause close to her heart.
“The comfort Abbie’s Fund brings to families is immeasurable,” she said. “From memory boxes to the work of bereavement midwives, their support makes a real difference.
“Katy’s continuing courage and compassion is inspirational and we’re proud to stand alongside her charity this year.” Katy said: “When we set up Abbie’s Fund, our hope was to give families something tangible to hold onto in the midst of heartbreak.
“To know that Women in Business Hull has chosen to support us at this year’s charity luncheon means the world. With the community’s help, we can continue to provide comfort, create precious memories, and extend our support to even more families who need it.”
The event will also feature personal reflections from local solicitor Lynsey Furley, who will share how Abbie’s Fund supported her family after the loss of her daughter, Evie. She said: “When a loved one dies, you can focus on happy memories to ease the grief.
“When a baby dies, before happy memories are made, the loss feels unbearable. Thanks to the memory box provided by Abbie’s Fund, when we lost our daughter Evie, we were able to create memories that we would otherwise have been too heartbroken to put together ourselves.
“We will forever appreciate those treasured keepsakes. I am honoured to be invited to speak and share just how much this support meant to us.”
A bereavement midwife will also speak about the vital role their care plays in supporting families through grief. The Women in Business Charity Lunch is being held on Friday, November 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Hull.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite now. Women in Business is a not-for-profit organisation that offers a unique blend of professionalism and sociability, providing support, friendship and networking to its members.
For more information about Women in Business and to join, please visit womeninbusinesshull.co.uk