Karla Marrow’s charity, In Jessica’s Memory, will host its first major fundraising day next month with plenty of entertainment lined up
Karla and Gareth Marrow, who lost their daughter Jessica when Karla was 37 weeks pregnant(Image: Karla Marrow)
A Hull mother who lost her baby when she was 37 weeks pregnant has channelled her grief into the launch of a charity devoted to supporting families following baby loss. Karla Marrow thought she was in labour when she went into hospital for an appointment. However, after not being able to find a heartbeat, doctors broke the agonising news to her and her husband Gareth, that their longed-for daughter had tragically died.
Now, two years later, she has formed the charity In Jessica’s Memory, to help other families having to face the traumatic ordeal of organising their baby’s funeral, at a time when they should be planning a christening or naming ceremony. Together with two trustees, the new charity – currently awaiting final CIC accreditation from the Government – aims to financially help families facing the totally unexpected costs. A huge fundraising day next month will be the first of many events they will stage to boost their charity’s coffers.
Karla, 40, of east Hull, told how it was undetected high blood pressure which led to Jessica’s loss, on May 15, 2024. She said: “Jessica was born sleeping. I am okay to talk about right now. I wasn’t a year ago, but I can talk more openly about it now.
“When we went in, I thought I was in labour. They checked my blood pressure, and it was found to be raised. I was heavily bleeding because my placenta had abrupted and it had fully come away. They tried to find a heartbeat but they couldn’t.
“And because of my blood pressure, which was at stroke level, and the blood loss it was touch and go for myself as well. She was born by emergency caesarean. It just saved my life. That was the safest option. From the moment when the doctor consultant said, ‘I’m sorry’ my world came crushing down. With my blood pressure, it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Four months later, Karla decided to focus her grief on helping others, saying “To me, I survived to do this charity and to help others.”
Having seen the work of Hull’s Chasing Rainbows baby loss and infertility charity, and Sands, which supports anyone affected by the death of a baby, she and her family decided to focus on alleviating the financial burden families face.
She said: “I had this idea that I wanted to put into motion to help others. It has helped me too, in the aspect that it’s kept me busy. We want to help with funerals of those who have lost babies.
“As well as the funeral, there’s the head stones, urns, flowers, and it all adds up. People have life insurance. But you don’t think about setting money aside for a baby funeral, especially a baby before they even take their the first breath.”
Amidst the sadness, Karla and Gareth, 36, have been able to find joy, through the birth of their rainbow baby Zac.
“We had a rainbow baby,” said Karla, who worked in retail before having Zac. “Twelve days after Jessica’s birthday we had a boy, Zac. He’s very precious. It was a bittersweet month for us – he was born after his dad’s birthday as well.”
Karla’s close friend and charity trustee Kayleigh Beet has been busy organising a huge fun day to raise money for the charity, having organised previous successful events. Taking place at the Pint & Pot from 11am on May 17, they hope hundreds of people will go to the event, which will have lots of stalls from the likes of Courtney’s Sweet Creations, Beau Bracelets, Laylas Hats, Little Indulgence pancakes and waffles, Stocks hair and tattoos, Marshalls Melts and Shake ya Bon Bon.
The stalls will run all day alongside entertainment from a DJ, bouncy castle, face painting and balloon modelling. A huge raffle is also planned, with tickets on sale from May 1 for those who can’t attend on the day. Prizes include a glamping weekend with a hot tub, a photo shoot worth £199, a midweek cottage stay, signed Hull FC ball, toys and takeaway vouchers, a Piglet Farm vouchers, a swimming voucher, an ice skating voucher, jewellery and an afternoon tea voucher.
Karla added: “This is my first big event and Kayleigh has been amazing in organising it. It’s going to be a brilliant day.”
The charity also has a Go Fund Me page here where people can make donations.