During this strange time, positive stories are more important than ever, which is why we are celebrating the ‘WMP Warriors’ – officers from Dudley and Sandwell’s public protection unit who have been taking on a series of challenges to support Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity’s Woodland House appeal.

The hospital cares for over 2000 grieving parents every year who have lost a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. But with no dedicated facilities for people receiving the most devastating news, patients often feel rushed and that they have nowhere to go afterwards. Woodland House will be a purpose-built bereavement centre, away from the main hospital, where families can spend time together until they feel ready to face the world again.

The charity needs to raise £3.5m to make the centre a reality. As the officers from Dudley and Sandwell’s public protection unit work hard every day to protect children and vulnerable people in our region, the Woodland House Appeal is something they feel passionate about.

The team raised just under £10K in 2019, and are aiming to do even better in 2020, with a series of events and challenges throughout the year, including a dodgeball tournament in June and a black tie ball at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in October.

Miranda Williams, public fundraising manager at Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are so grateful to the officers in West Midlands Police’s public protection unit for getting behind our appeal and for helping us make Woodland House a reality.”

Det Insp. Vicky Lee said: “I’d obviously like to thank everyone that’s been involved, donated money, bought tickets or taken part in any of the gruelling challenges.”

If you’d like to donate to the Woodland House appeal, visit the website. Think Sandwell wishes the WMP Warriors all the best for their ongoing fundraising activities.