LOUISE Wright, a paediatric nurse at Crosshouse Hospital, talked to Ayr Rotary Club about why there was a need for this new charity. 

MEMORIES ARE BETTER THAN DREAMS is a registered charity which supports families living in Ayrshire & Arran through the devastating loss of a child. It aims, where possible, to help these families make special memories towards the end of their child’s life and after their untimely death.

In the course of their nursing work, Louise and her colleagues have been affected by watching families struggle in very stressful circumstances and often with considerable financial strain on them.

Parents frequently have to give up work to care for their child. This can make it very difficult for the family to provide the opportunities to make lasting memories and some may not have the means to create a significant memory of their late child. 

Independently from their daily professional work at the hospital, the charity helps families at their time of need and helps to establish these important memories. 

These memories can take many forms and Louise, along with her three colleagues, liaises with the families to agree the most appropriate memory for them.

The charity provides memory-making activities, meaningful headstones, special memory boxes, and remembrance items such as necklaces or handprints. The help it gives is individual to each family and tailored to meet their particular wishes.

To support her presentation, Louise showed three heart-wrenching, emotional films of families who have benefited from the charity’s support.

During a question and answer session after her talk, Louise confessed that although she is a professional, it is extremely difficult to be emotionally detached from the suffering of the bereaved families.

Dr Neil Beattie gave the vote of thanks and complimented Louise on her great endeavours and passion for this worthwhile charity.