A MOTHER whose first child was stillborn is supporting proposals for a new law to help bereaved parents.

Annika Dowson, who lives in Helmsley with husband James and son Nathaniel, has campaigned to raise awareness of the death of a baby after the couple’s daughter, Gypsy was stillborn in 2008.

After supporting her work, Ryedale MP Kevin Hollinrake has now introduced the Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill into Parliament.

The Bill will seek to ensure grieving parents in employment receive paid leave to grieve away from the workplace, delivering on the Government’s pledge to “enhance rights and protections in the workplace”.

Currently, there is no legal requirement for employers to provide paid leave for grieving parents.

Mr Hollinrake said: “This is such an important Bill for parents going through the most terrible of times.

“There is little any of us can do to help, but at least we can make sure that every employer will give them time to grieve.

“I have represented a number of constituents who have had to deal with the tragedy of losing a child and I am honoured to be able to do something to help parents in these desperate circumstances.

“This is something I feel is really important, and also has a good chance of getting through.”

Annika said she was extremely pleased her MP was taking up the cause.

She said: “Both mothers and fathers need time after the loss of a child to deal with the initial shock, pain, and heartbreak.

“But it isn’t all about being there for your husband or vice versa, its not just the cuddles and tears, it’s the necessities that you can’t do while you are working.

“It’s also important to have time to deal with the practical things.

The last thing that either parent should be worrying about is if there is income coming in, or indeed if they do take time off,

if they will have a job to go back to.

“No one is going to fully grieve in two weeks, nor will they be expected to, but to introduce the Parental Bereavement Bill, really will help with immediate practicalities.”