A group which supports bereaved families at Medway Maritime Hospital, has been awarded official charity status.

Cherished Whispers was set up in October 2011 by mum-of-three Cheryl Morley, who has lost four babies during pregnancy.

It offers help to parents who have lost a child during pregnancy, at birth or shortly afterwards.

It gives parents wooden memory boxes containing a candle, a hope charm and two teddies – one for baby and one for the parents to keep. The boxes also include leaflets with information on where to get support, along with details of local funeral directors.

Cherished Whispers provide boxes to three departments in Medway Maritime Hospital and hope to expand to other hospitals around Kent.

Cheryl, of Carlton Avenue, Gillingham, raised more than £9,000 in her first year and gave out 120 boxes.

To date, she has raised more than £16,000 and helped more than 200 families. Cheryl has also set up a website where those who have suffered a loss can offer each other support.

Now a registered charity, Cherished Whispers will be able to help even more parents.

"It means we will be able to help more parents" - charity founder Cheryl Morley

Cheryl said: “It’s a great achievement to gain charitable status. It means we will be able to help more parents and being recognised as a registered charity means people will trust that their donations are being used wisely.

Our charitable status means we can distribute throughout Kent, rather than just Medway Maritime Hospital.

There are future plans to go to other hospitals to see if they want the boxes and hopefully they would do some fundraising as well.”

Cheryl added: “We have lots of plans for the future which means lots more work, but as long as we can make the smallest difference to parents who have to go through this devastating event, we will be there supplying memory boxes and giving as much support as possible.”