WOMEN are donating their prized wedding dresses to be transformed into bespoke gowns for families who have lost a baby.

From My Womb to My Heart Foundation was set up by six women on Canvey in 2015 after they all suffered the loss of a baby. Kerry Ann Carter was one of the founding members after her baby boy was born at 18 weeks.

Originally set up as a support group, the foundation has snowballed into helping families coping with the loss of a baby through miscarriage or stillbirth by making gowns for them.

Kerry Ann, 32, said: “I was looked after by a lovely bereavement midwife and it was only when I came to reach out to people who had gone through the same thing I realised that level of support wasn’t available for everyone. We wanted to be a resource for people and signpost them to help. We all do it to keep our babies alive.”

The foundation then began creating gowns and sleeves, both for parents to dress their babies in and a second as a keepsake.

As well as a team of knitters across the UK and an embroiderer, three seamstresses also tirelessly give up their time to create the gowns for hospitals across the country.

They also get contacted by families directly, crafting a gown for them in as little as three days.

The group receives around three wedding gowns a week, with each dress being transformed into gowns, cribs and beds for those who have been through a loss.

Kerry Ann said: “It is just something taken for granted, that you have something to dress your baby in.

“Women’s wedding dresses are such precious things. You expect you will always keep it, so for people to donate them is such a lovely thing to do.”

Support has also come from St Nicholas Church, which, along with the group, has set up a commemorative garden for babies who have died to be remembered.

Kerry Ann said: “We are just so lucky to have our community supporting us. It is quite humbling when you see these people donating their dresses, and we always share the journey of the dress so people can see.”