A GRIEVING woman who lost her baby to a stillbirth has set up a charity to help other families in Musgrove Park Hospital and provide them with memory boxes.

Mel Scott, 33, from Bridgwater , lost her baby Finley in August 2009 at Musgrove Park Hospital after he became distressed during labour.

She said the care she received and the opportunity to spend three days with her baby taking photos, bathing and having a blessing made the world of difference to her mourning.

But not all parents get the chance and that is what inspired Mel to set up 'Towards Tomorrow Together', a charity which provides 'memory boxes' to Musgrove and help grieving parents to cherish moments with their baby.

She said: “These memory boxes are really important to families so they can make as many memories as possible so that you can show your child was real for friends and family to see.

“The big aim is to fill in the gaps that other baby charities don't cover and to provide aftercare support.”

Clare de Burgh, 31, from Taunton, lost her daughter Elsie in October 2011 at 38 weeks and six days and used one of the memory boxes set up by Mel to make plaster casts of hands and feet, take curls of hair and take photos with teddy bears and soft blankets.

She said it helped her to feel less alone in what she described as 'the single most devastating thing that has ever happened to me and my family'.

To date, Mel has donated 35 memory boxes to the hospital and the pair are running a charity ball next month to raise funds for a cold cot costing £1,600 and to pay for solicitor fees so that the charity can be officially registered.

The ball is at Somerset County Cricket Ground on September 15 at 7pm and includes a three-course meal and charity auction. They are looking for a band to come forward and provide some music for the evening too.

Tickets cost £40 or £350 for a table of 10. To book call Clare on 07903-471265 or visit www.finleysfootprints.com