A comforting new mural has been unveiled in Macclesfield District General Hospital's maternity ward.

Created by artist Allie Pottinger, the mural is located in the Bluebell Suite, the ward's bereavement room, where families can grieve and spend precious time together after the loss of a loved one.

It has been made possible thanks to the Georgia Leigh Ogden Foundation, which was set up by Georgia's parents, Mandy and Mark, and her brother, Josh, shortly after she passed away in 2020 following a car crash in Astbury.

Mandy Ogden said: "The loss of a child, regardless of their age, is the most devastating news any parent can ever receive.

"Sadly, having experienced that heartbreak ourselves at another hospital, one memory that has never left us is receiving that life-changing news in a small, cold, clinical room, which was used for storage.

"That truly heartbreaking experience inspired us to donate a mural to the Bluebell Suite, so that parents at Macclesfield Hospital could receive that news in a peaceful and comforting space, where they could take time to reflect together. And we believe Alison has captured that vision perfectly.

"Her incredibly beautiful artwork brings tranquillity and hope to a place where they are needed most, and we are deeply grateful for the care and compassion she has poured into her work."

The maternity ward is looking to continue developing the Bluebell Suite and is actively fundraising to purchase additional extras to make the space as welcoming as possible.

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Donations can be made to the Macclesfield Maternity Bereavement Appeal online here.

Francesca Stanley, a bereavement midwife at East Cheshire NHS Trust, said: "Having a dedicated bereavement room provides families with a private and peaceful space to grieve, support and comfort each other.

"The bluebell mural has been carefully chosen to bring the calming effects of nature into the room, helping to reduce stress and create a comforting environment during an incredibly difficult time, and we're very grateful to Allie Pottinger for donating her wonderful work.

"And we're so very grateful for the generous donation from The Georgia Leigh Ogden Foundation, who've already helped us on several occasions over the last few years. Their donation of £1,162 covered the whole cost of printing, digitalizing and installing the mural, and they've also donated an additional donation of £650 to help fund furniture in the suite."