SORROW turned to joy as a griefstricken Winsford couple commemorated the painful day they had hoped to become parents.

Chloe Rathbone, 25, and her partner Philip Ashworth, 34, drove to a beach in Blackpool to release a balloon - on the day that should have been their baby's birth day.

Sadly, they lost their son at 21 weeks.

"As we released the balloon, Philip got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, " said teaching assistant Chloe, who works with children with special needs at Middlewich High School.

The couple had visited the same beach, near Philip's home town, on the day of their son's funeral and sent another balloon into the sky.

The pair are now looking forward to starting a new life together.

"We didn't plan to get married that quick but when we looked at the venue, a date was available," said Chloe. "We started this year in a rubbish way, we thought why are we waiting? Let's end with a positive."

Chloe and her family are so grateful for all the help and support they received from Leighton Hospital, they are holding a race night to help other bereaved parents.

Chloe's sister Leah Banks, 19, who works for Barclays, is organising the charity event at Meadow Bank Social Club on School Road in Winsford on Friday, August 2.

Northwich Guardian:

Leah and her sister Chloe

Chloe said: "Leah was very excited about becoming an auntie, she wanted to do something in her own little way to give something back."

Chloe hopes the event will help to raise awareness and encourage more people to talk about stillbirth and miscarriage.

"You never think it's going to happen to you," said Chloe. "You realise lots of women have gone through this but nobody talks about it. People don't know what to say and are scared to say the wrong thing, but you want to have that conversation.

"I want to feel that yes, he was here and it did happen."

Chloe and Philip lost their baby in January and were grateful be able to spend 24 hours with their son in a private suite.

"To be able to have that opportunity was very precious," said Chloe. "Leighton Hospital were amazing. You couldn't fault them at all. The care we had on the day was amazing.

"I found out that it was an infection of the amniotic fluid that caused a rupture, it wasn't anything wrong with the baby. They said it is really rare and should never happen again."

Chloe and Philip, a sales assistant at J&S Motorcycles in Oakmere, will have a donation box at their wedding to support Leighton Hospital.

"Money raised from the race night will help to decorate the room that has been set aside for mums in labour with a bad outcome and support bereaved parents," added Chloe.

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Around 20 local businesses and companies have generously donated raffle prizes and sponsorship for the race night.

Special Touch Events Hire has offered to decorate the room free of charge.

Admission is £3 adults, £1.50 children and you can pay on the door.