A SILENT auction is helping to raise funds for a charity which supports parents who have lost young children.

Bids are flowing in for 12 paintings donated by award-winning artist Nancy Turnbull which are currently on display in the foyer of RGS the Grange, Worcester.

Proceeds from the auction will go to Cherished Forever – a charity which provides memory boxes and silver keepsakes to local hospitals for parents who have suffered the loss of a baby.

Cherished Forever was set up last year by Beth and Paul Tripp, of Lower Broadheath, near Worcester, after they lost their son Nathaniel at 22-weeks gestation.

Mrs Tripp said: “When we went through it, there wasn’t anything like that available.

“We were lucky that we had friends and family who did something for us. We’ve had some wonderful feedback from consultants through to the people who have received the memory boxes and keepsakes.

“There have been lots of different responses, but most common is that they’re just grateful for the support because when you’re faced with a situation you have never dealt with before you just don’t know how to feel or what’s going to happen.”

Having first approached Worcestershire Royal Hospital with the idea, the charity now supplies 15 hospitals in the Midlands after securing a grant to provide 500 boxes.

Money raised from the auction will help Cherished Forever to bring that total up to 1,000.

The paintings can be viewed in the foyer at RGS the Grange until tomorrow and bids should also be submitted by that day to the school’s reception.

Anyone who can help the charity by providing handknitted or crocheted blankets and hats, should e-mail Mrs Tripp at bethhawkes@hotmail.co.uk.

For more information about Cherished Forever, visit cherishedforever.org.