Parliament has been dissolved until after the general election and I am no longer an MP.Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood called on Rishi Sunak to join her in congratulating local woman Georgina Jacobs on being in receipt of the Wirral Award for her work in bringing comfort to grieving families. She raised the matter during a session of Prime Minister’s Questions in parliament.
In 1969, Georgina gave birth to a baby boy whom she named Robert. Sadly, Robert was born asleep, and, Ms Greenwood explained, in those days, hospitals would ask the father to collect the baby’s body, take it to the cemetery and leave it there for burial.
Georgina did not know for 53 years exactly where Robert had been buried. When she eventually found him, she shared her story on social media, and other mothers who had been through the same experience got in touch with her.
Since then, Georgina has located over 60 babies on behalf of grieving parents and was recently presented with the Wirral Award for her achievements.
Margaret Greenwood MP called on the Prime Minister to join her in congratulating Georgina on her award and on having brought comfort to so many parents and families.
The Wirral West MP also asked the Prime Minister if he would, on behalf of all previous governments, apologise for that former practice, which left grieving parents with nowhere to visit their buried children.
In his response to Margaret Greenwood MP, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“I thank and commend (Margaret Greenwood MP) for raising that case, and I pay tribute to Georgina for what she is doing.
“I often say that one of the most incredible things about doing this job is meeting people like Georgina, who have suffered tragedy in their lives but used that to campaign, inspire and bring about a better life for everyone else.
“She is a prime example of that, and she deserves nothing but our praise and admiration.
“I am so pleased that she has brought comfort to so many other people, too.”
Speaking afterwards, Margaret Greenwood MP said:
“I was very pleased to be able to speak in parliament about Georgina’s outstanding work in helping parents find the final resting place of their born asleep babies.
“She has brought comfort to so many parents and families and it is only right that she was presented with the Wirral Award.
“Now she has received praise from the Prime Minister too.
“Georgina’s commitment to help other grieving parents is profoundly moving. The tributes to her are richly deserved.”
Promoted by and on behalf of Margaret Greenwood MP, 20 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0SS