A YOUNG couple whose baby daughter was stillborn are asking for people to help buy her a headstone.

Jemma Powell and Tom Davies lost their first child Phoebe Alys last year after complications in the womb.

After going through the trauma of burying their baby girl and the continuing struggle to come to terms with their loss, the couple have organised a family day and fund-raising event tomorrow.

The bash, boasting a bouncy castle, treasure hunt, football match, refreshments and games, is at King George V Playing Fields, Brickfields, Worcester, from noon until 4pm. All are welcome.

The event is aimed at raising more than £1,000 for a headstone at Phoebe’s grave in the city’s Astwood cemetery, with 30 per cent of the money going to stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands.

Miss Powell, aged 21, described the moment doctors delivered the bad news last June. She said: “We had complications at the beginning of the pregnancy and when we had the 25-week check-up the midwife couldn’t find a heartbeat.

Mr Davies, aged 26, then had to drive his partner to Worcestershire Royal Hospital “not knowing whether the baby was okay”.

He said: “I remember hearing a song on the radio by Moby called Goodbye. We got to hospital, they still couldn’t find the baby’s heartbeat and that was it. They gave Jemma a tablet to induce her and we went home.”

The couple, of Westminster Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, then had to endure the trauma of labour knowing their baby had died. Phoebe was born two days after inducement, weighing 1lb, at 11am on Friday, June 19.

Doctors said a problem with the placenta meant the baby had been starved of nutrients.

Miss Powell praised the support she has had from specialist NHS pregnancy and post-abortion centre Cedar Tree in Angel Place, Worcester. Mr Davies, meanwhile, is still having counselling and singled out the Rev David Southall at the Royal for praise.

The couple are now looking forward to starting a new chapter in their lives, as Miss Powell is seven weeks pregnant. She said: “It’s scary and emotional having to go back to the hospital – that brings it all back. But we’re staying positive.”