GREIVING parents have created a ‘lasting tribute’ to their twin daughters after raising more than £16,000 to help other bereaved families.

Chris and Louise Hopwood, of Bewley Grove, Leigh, wanted to improve the bereavement suite at Wigan's Royal Albert Edward Infirmary after spending time there following the deaths of their premature babies Peggy and Pearl.

They have been fundraising to transform the suite into a much more 'comforting' and 'homely' environment for the past two years.

And the fruits of their labour saw the newly named and refurbished Pearl Suite officially opened at the hospital on October 14.

It is named after both girls, who died shortly after being born at 21 weeks in January 2014.

Chris, 31, said: “Peggy is actually another word for Pearl, so it is named after them both.

“It will be there for a long time and Peggy and Pearl’s memory will live on.

“We are proud of this lasting tribute to our daughters.”

As well as raising £16,000 through their extensive fundraising efforts, the couple received donations of clothes and blankets for premature babies.

They can be used by parents at the bereavement suite, as can a new double bed.

Chris added: “When we lost our girls we got to spend time with them in the bereavement room, which meant so much to us.

"But the room itself was a typical hospital room.

“We decided that we wanted to create a place where parents can spend time with their babies that is comforting and where they can spend the night or however long they need.

“We wanted a homely place so we have hosted many events and taken part in a lot of things to be able to give back to the hospital.

"We now want to get a memorial book for the suite and we will still donate items, such as clothes, to help others."

Tracy Baybutt, a midwife at the hospital, said: “The suite has been used by a number of families since the renovation was completed and the response has been positive.

“A patient recently shared with me that the suite allowed her and her partner to spend precious time and create valuable memories with their baby that will stay with them forever.”

The official opening was attended by Wigan MP Lisa Nandy.