A bereaved family have raised thousands of pounds in memory of their precious son.

Vanessa and Karl Blacklock, of Frizington, were devastated when their son Buddy was stillborn in November 2015.

Since then the couple have set out to help raise funds for the labour ward at West Cumberland Hospital which supported them in such a difficult time.

The couple returned to the labour ward to hand over a cheque for £5,000.

It follows a year of fundraisers carried out by the family, friends and members of the community in memory of Buddy.

“We just want to say thank you to everyone who has donated. It’s been lovely to be supported by the whole community,” says Vanessa.

The family along with friends and members of the community have taken part in numerous fundraisers, including a gruelling Born Survivor assault course, a fundraising ball and a bingo which was organised by Dance Ranch.

And donations have also been given by Robinson and Co (£500) and Sellafield (£200). The money will be used to buy a wireless CTG machine, to allow mums to move around the labour ward while having their babies monitored.

The Blacklocks have previously also raised £2,263 in aid of the charity 4Louis. This cash has gone towards paying for a cuddle cot for a children’s hospice, a printer package and memory boxes for grieving families.

Vanessa, mum to Daisy, aged eight, and Poppy, aged six, said giving birth to a stillborn baby causes “so much suffering”.

She has previously said she suffered a difficult pregnancy.

“We went in for a scan [at 29 weeks], and when we got here they couldn’t find the heartbeat,” she said

Shortly after, she gave birth to Buddy who was stillborn.

“We were devastated,” she said. “I don’t think anybody can describe how you feel. It had a massive impact on the whole family.”

Vanessa said Buddy weighed 920 grams and was “perfectly formed”.

Last week, during the cheque presentation, the Blacklocks had the chance to meet the midwives who delivered Buddy and had been so supportive to their family.