Comedian Russell Howard has introduced the demise of his baby boy Felix.
The Mock The Week star, 46, shared the devastating information in a prolonged Instagram publish on Friday, through which he thanked the NHS for his or her care.
Felix died a number of months in the past, however Russell and his spouse, Dr Cerys Morgan, didn’t announce they had been anticipating a baby on the time, and selected to grieve privately.
‘Earlier this year, our family changed forever when our beautiful baby boy, Felix, died shortly after birth,’ Russell wrote.
‘During the most devastating time of our lives, the hospital staff who cared for us showed extraordinary compassion, kindness and humanity. They helped us navigate an unimaginable heartache and gave us support when we needed it most.’
Russell, 46, went on to reward their bereavement midwife Lauren, who had skilled an analogous ordeal herself and determined to retrain as a midwife to provide different households the most effective care doable.
Thanking Lauren for her assist, the TV star continued: ‘Her care meant extra to us than we will ever put into phrases. During our time in hospital, Felix was positioned in a cool cot, which meant that my spouse and I had been capable of spend treasured hours with our stunning boy. We may maintain him, discuss to him and inform him simply how a lot we cherished him.
‘Those hours are among the most precious memories we have of Felix.’
Russell defined how he and Cerys had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the extent of care they acquired and promised one another that they might attempt to assist different households, in the identical method midwife Lauren helped them.
‘And so, in Felix’s reminiscence, we’re establishing The Felix Foundation,’ Russell introduced.
‘The basis will intention to alleviate the wants of oldsters, siblings and different shut relations affected by miscarriage untimely birth, stillbirth, neonatal demise or associated bereavement by:
‘Supporting the extra coaching of midwives in specialist bereavement care, by means of yearly grants to allow them to entry assets corresponding to counselling {qualifications}.
‘Funding assets to supply emotional assist and sensible help.
‘Providing or funding devoted rooms, services, tools and assets inside hospitals, maternity items, neonatal items and different applicable healthcare settings, supporting the care, wellbeing and dignity of infants and their households.
‘Providing information, guidance, signposting and other resources to affected families.’
Russell will now host a charity occasion to boost funds for The Felix Foundation at London’s O2 Arena on February 8, 2027. It will characteristic an unimaginable line-up of well-known faces, together with Jimmy Carr, Greg Davies, John Bishop, Michael McIntyre, Aisling Bea and Mo Gilligan, who will entertain from the stage.
‘Every single one of these incredible performers is giving their time completely free of charge. I will never forget their generosity,’ Russell stated, stuffed with gratitude.
Concluding his message, the comedian stated: ‘The Felix Foundation is known as after our stunning son. We miss him dearly, each single day, however we take some consolation in understanding that his identify will stand for kindness, compassion and laughter, and that his legacy might assist different households by means of the darkest moments of their lives.
‘We would love it if you came along and helped us make Felix’s legacy one thing actually particular.’