Organisers have been ‘blown away’ by generosity shown towards event
Gareth and Karla Marrow(Image: Karla Marrow)
There are three months to go before a bumper family day is held in Hull and organisers could not be more pleased with how things are shaping up. The fun event that is due to feature stalls, a bouncy castle, a big raffle and tombola, is to highlight a new baby loss awareness charity.
In Jessica’s Memory is in the final stages of becoming registered. It is hoped the fun day, at the Pint & Pot pub in Ellerburn Avenue, will be a chance to celebrate the official registration of the organisation with the Charity Commission and to highlight its work in supporting families following baby loss.
Karla and Gareth Marrow set up In Jessica’s Memory to honour their daughter Jessica Suzanne, who they tragically lost at 37 weeks. Karla, who has four daughters, and Gareth, who has a son, had Jessica Suzanne together.
The baby was due in June 2024 but the month before, Karla suffered a rapid onset of gestational hypertension (high blood pressure) and received the heartbreaking news her baby no longer had a heartbeat, at Hull Royal Infirmary. Karla previously told Hull Live: “We went through one of the worst things you can possibly go through.
“It was traumatic – I almost died myself due to the severity of the situation. I don’t know how we have got through the past 18 months, but we’ve been focusing on the charity and wanting to help other people.”
Karla and Gareth, who welcomed rainbow baby Zac into the world last spring, want to help bereaved families in a number of ways, including contributing to the financial cost of headstones, urns and flowers, and by offering advice and a listening ear. Karla’s friend from schooldays, Kayleigh Beet, has taken over the reins for organising the charity day, on Sunday, May 17, while Karla continues with the administration around registering In Jessica’s Memory.
Kayleigh, who is to be a trustee of the charity, said: “Karla has been working tirelessly to turn her grief into doing good. Our charity is dedicated to supporting families following baby loss.
“We raise funds to provide financial assistance towards a final resting place, helping families honour their babies while easing the burden during their time of grief.” Kayleigh said: “We have arranged the charity day at the Pint & Pot and have been absolutely blown away by people’s generosity.
“We have so far managed to get a DJ, character visits, a bouncy castle, a food van, numerous stalls and some amazing raffle prizes – we are still waiting to hear back from so many other people too. I think I’ve messaged over 200 people to try to get prizes, but we are definitely open to receiving more.
“We’re also asking if more companies would like a stall on the day for £10. We’re going to the pub today to create a plan of where everything will go.
“The beauty of the Pint & Pot is it has a massive back room so everything is secured inside – even the bouncy castle – so there will be no problem if the weather isn’t great. I think the charity day will be a great opportunity to highlight what In Jessica’s Memory is about and how it will help other families by relieving some of the burden a bit and some of that stress around a funeral.”
The charity day will start at 11am on Sunday, May 17. If anyone would like to donate a raffle or tombola prize, would like a stall or would like any more information, they can call 07894 408130 or email injessicasmemory@gmail.com