East Bridgford mental health hospital Cygnet Maple House raises nearly £1,000 for baby loss charity 4Louis

Staff and patients at a mental health hospital have raised nearly £1,000 for a baby loss charity.

Cygnet Maple House, in East Bridgford, chose 4Louis — a charity that supports anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, and the death of a baby or child — as the focus for its fundraising efforts in 2025.

Through initiatives like a sponsored walk and car boot sale, they have already raised £930 for the cause.

4Louis provides memory boxes to help families remember their loved one, and offers useful tools, equipment, and training free of charge to hospital units, hospices, and other professionals who work with grieving families.

Cygnet Maple House, a 16-bed mental health hospital for women, will continue raising funds for the charity throughout the year.

Their efforts began with an 11-mile sponsored walk in January which raised more than £600, and on March 29 some patients held a fundraising car boot sale which raised £230.

Hospital manager, Nicola Mullender, said: “Everyone who took part really enjoyed themselves and fully got into the spirit of the event. They were keen to make as much money as possible.

“The patients reported that they were happy to be doing something for such a great cause and really motivated them having something positive to focus on.

“Our aim is to try and raise as much money as possible in a year, doing lots of different events for a cause that would really benefit from our efforts.

“We have chosen 4Louis because this is a cause which can effect so many women and families as a whole and it is so important to bring awareness and try and do our bit to support families who suffer miscarriages and stillbirths.”

Donations can be made via https://4louis.enthuse.com/pf/nicola-bicknell.

Cygnet Maple House activity co-ordinator, Nicola Bicknell, and senior nurse, Sharlotte Somerville, also visited the 4Louis head office in March to support the charity in producing their memory boxes.

The team have further fundraising events planned including bake sales, a car wash and the ‘Maple Fest’.