Father who lost two babies playing 100 holes of golf for Stars Appeal
Neal and Els Riley lost both their babies in 2023
A bereaved father supported by Salisbury District Hospital after he and his wife lost two babies is taking on a 100-hole golf challenge to raise money for the Stars Appeal.
Neal Riley and wife Els, from Wimborne, suffered the trauma of two babies being born sleeping in 2023 and were supported by the Benson Suite in the aftermath.
The suite is a dedicated area for bereaved parents to be with their babies away from the Labour Ward, with specialists helping ensure the time families spend with their baby is as dignified and personal as possible.
In January 2023, Neal and Els lost their son, Oscar. They were soon expecting again but the couple's world 'fell apart' again in November when they lost their daughter, Sophie.
Oscar had been delivered sleeping at 31 weeks, but by 34 weeks of the second pregnancy, everything was going well.
But four days after the 34 week consolation, during an appointment with a midwife, a heartbeat couldn't be found.
Neal told Greatest Hits Radio that the team at the Benson Suite were amazing, despite the tragically difficult time.
He said: "They couldn't be more supportive than they are. They've been our rock and they still phone us every couple of weeks to see how Els is doing and things like that.
"The team at Salisbury have been absolutely awesome."
Following Oscar's passing last year, Neal and some of his friends did a 72-hole challenge to support the Stars Appeal and the Benson Suite, raising £4,500.
But now he's going further, with a 100-hole challenge at Rushmoor Golf Club in Tollard Royal, on the Dorset Wiltshire border.
"My friends turned round to me and said what can we do to support you and Els?' and I came up with a stupid idea that that 72 holes obviously wasn't enough, and actually, let's go and do 100," Neal said.
Everyone taking part will be wearing pink or blue t-shirts that have been embroidered with baby names.
The challenge starts at 4:30am on Sunday morning (23/6) and aim to finish around 9pm Sunday evening.
Neal told us 2024 has been tough for he and Els, but they have 'got stronger as a couple'. They're determined to make sure that Oscar and Sophie live on as much as possible.