AN Irvine woman is launching a new charity to provide gowns for stillborn children.

Kelly Dean was inspired to set-up Abigail’s Attic Scotland after her mum tragically gave birth to two stillborn babies named Lesley and Hope.

And she’s urging potential volunteers to come forward and help ease the pain of grieving parents.

Abigail’s Attic was launched in America by Judy Fields - in honour of her stillborn niece Abigail - to transform donated wedding dresses into baby burial gowns.

Kelly, 34, married husband Liam in July and began browsing wedding sites in a bid to donate her dress.

From there she discovered the charity and was determined to set up a new branch in Scotland.

Kelly’s bridesmaids will become the first to donate their dresses for the gowns - which will be made by Kilwinning-based kids shop Russell Costumes.

Speaking last week, Kelly hopes making the gowns available can bring some comfort to mourning parents.

She said: “I got married on July 31 and I had saw online about people donating dresses.

“I came across Abigail’s Attic in America who are run by volunteers and are quite well known over there.

“I was asking if I could send dresses over there to be made into gowns but they said it might cost a lot with the posting and packaging.

“So we got to talking back and forth and I’m now going to launch their first-ever Scottish branch.

“My mum lost two stillborns so I know how painful it can be for families, they’re not provided with dresses by the neo-natal unit here.”

Kelly added: “What people don’t realise is that there are parents out there who are having to go into child shops to pick out a gown and are being asked about whether it was a boy or a girl and things like that.

“It’s a terrible thing to go through after having a stillborn.

"I think it will be so important if we can help provide a gown for them.

“We’re hoping people can come forward whether it’s to help us sew the dresses or local businesses to help us buy materials. 

“Hopefully as many people as possible from across Ayrshire can help us.”

A Facebook page for Abigail’s Attic Scotland is in the process of being set-up which will provide full information on their activities.