Mum whose baby was stillborn turns wedding dresses into tiny burial gowns

Geraldine Kerr, 44, from Ballymoney, refashions donated wedding gowns, bridesmaids and communion dresses into burial gowns for stillborn and miscarried babies, which are then distributed to the majority of local hospitals.

She explained why she decided to launch her venture, Billie’s Little Angels Gowns, which is named in memory of her daughter.

‘‘I didn’t have anything to dress my daughter when she was stillborn,” she said.

“My sister went to the local toy shop and my daughter was buried in a Tiny Tears’ doll’s dress, because there was no such thing as a burial gown for these babies back then.”

And Geraldine added: “There is still no such thing.

“I have researched it, and there is no one who does what we do in Northern Ireland.’’

Geraldine taught herself how to sew, and with the help of four volunteers launched the not-for-profit venture last year.

To date, she has produced around 300 gowns and burial packages for local hospitals.

“We make from gynae ward, from very early miscarriage, right up to four or five different sizes of gowns, with a cocoon for miscarriage.

“We do a tiny dress that is not even as big as a pair of scissors.”

Every gown that goes to a hospital goes in a package, which contains a blanket, a gown, a cardigan and a hat.

“There’s a keepsake for mum. Somebody donated key rings so we now have those to give to daddy as well.”

Geraldine said all the ladies in the group “want to make change”.

“To us, it’s not a chore. I get satisfaction out of producing the gowns and knowing where they are going and so do all the other volunteers in the group. They are all just doing their wee bit.”

She added: “One of my ladies moved to France in January, she’s been with me from the start.

“She took wedding dresses with her and whatever she has made her husband will bring back this month. So she is still sewing for me in France.

“‘Billie’s Little Angels Gowns has helped me grow from my grief.

“This is me giving back – turning a negative into a positive.

“I will always be a grieving parent, but what I am doing, for mental reasons, has really helped me too.

“To me, I know what it would mean to receive a dress to bury your baby in.”

‘Billie’s Little Angels Gowns’ can be contacted via their Facebook page.