Family from Holme Hale near Swaffham to take on EACH's Norwich Bubble Rush in baby son's memory

A bereaved mum has signed up for a charity fundraiser as a fitting way of keeping her baby son's memory alive.

Rebekah Howlett, husband Philip and sons Ben, 10, and James, six, of Holme Hale near Swaffham, will be taking part in this year's Norwich Bubble Rush, being organised by East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

They are fundraising for the charity as it supported them following the death of Rebekah and Philip's second son Josh in April 2015, when he was just four days old.

This support included making memory items and receiving help with funeral arrangements.

Rebekah also had counselling for over a year and they attended a monthly bereavement support group together.

Now, eight years on, the couple are keen to give something back by signing up for a day of fundraising fun.

EACH’s foam-filled Norwich Bubble Rush is taking place at the Norfolk Showground on July 16.

“Josh was only four days old when he died and all his life was spent in hospital,” said Rebekah, who first became aware of a problem when she was 30 weeks and four days pregnant, in April 2015.

“I realised Josh's movements were different to usual and went to Lynn hospital to be assessed.

“However, before I saw the doctor, I had a massive bleed and was rushed into theatre for an emergency C-section.

“It was several hours before I recovered from the anaesthetic and was able to go into the neonatal intensive care unit and see Josh.

“We were told he was doing well and that we’d be able to hold him soon, which we looked forward to."

However, at less than two days old, Josh's lung collapsed and doctors tried to get him breathing, but he had Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), meaning oxygen was not getting around his body.

Rebekah and Philip were told their baby needed to be transferred to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

However, the next day, scans revealed devastating news.

Josh had bleeds on both sides of his brain and his organs were starting to fail, so the couple were asked for permission to turn off his life-support machine.

“The doctor mentioned that EACH may be able to help,” said Rebekah, an accountant at Larking Gowen.

“We didn't understand how at the time, but agreed for them to come and see us.

“The following day, we were able to hold Josh for the first time as he died in our arms."

Together with two members of the EACH team, they spent time with him making memory items.

"I felt numb and struggled to take in what had happened," Rebekah added.

“EACH then supported us with arranging Josh's funeral, giving us ideas of songs, poems and music other families had used.

“I had counselling for over a year and we both attended a monthly bereavement support group.

“Ben also used to attend the children's group, which he enjoyed.

“We were able to make more memory items and meeting other bereaved parents and hearing their experiences helped us enormously."

The family says they will always wonder what Josh would have been like had he survived.

“I remember looking forward to him joining our family and talking to Ben about having a little brother. He was only two at the time," she added.

“We didn't really get much time together which is why the memory items - hand and foot casts and handprints of Ben and Josh together on a plate - are so important.

“We all appreciate the support from EACH.”

Together with other families, Rebekah and Philip, a farmer on his family farm at Pentney, have organised coffee mornings and other events, as well as taking part in previous Bubble Rushes.

Now they are looking forward to more foam-filled fun in July when they take on the course, which features four bubble stations along a 2.5km route.

“We’ve also been to memory days and Christmas carol services organised by EACH,” said Rebekah.

“Both are a lovely way for families to remember their children - a place to be able to let the tears fall.

“Ben and James enjoy the Bubble Rushes the most, though. They’re another way of continuing to include Josh in our family.”

To sponsor the Howlett family, click here.

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