Celtic star and wife open dedicated hospital unit for families

It was part of the SiMBA charity’s drive to have a dedicated facility. The couple became involved with the charity after the death of their daughter Lola.

Also present were SiMBA’s Executive Director, Sara Fitzsimmons, who has been working closely with a designated team from of hospital staff.

Sara Fitzsimmons, Executive Director, SiMBA said: “The difference that Family Rooms can make to a parents experience within the hospital is incredible, allowing precious time together that isn’t rushed. These rooms at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital have been created with passion, using the experiences and suggestions from staff and bereaved families and will form the footprint for our future projects.”

The refurbishment project began back in 2015 when Lisa and Kris first visited the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with the SiMBA team, while the rooms were practical they were very clinical and not at all homely.

The Lola Commons Fund for SiMBA set out to change that. The family rooms cost more than £25,000 to complete and include: tea / coffee making facilities, a sofa bed so that parents can stay in the room together, a mini fridge, bluetooth speakers and a second room for other family members and siblings to use when they visit with comfortable sofas and a television.

Lisa Commons said: “Everyone here has their own story, everyone has experienced loss and everyone has dealt with it in their own way. When we lost Lola we didn’t see her or hold her, we didn’t spend time with her, having this room donated by the Lola Commons Fund for SIMBA is incredibly important to us and meeting some of the parents here today who, through their fundraising efforts, made this possible is really humbling. I am passionate about empowering parents to talk about their babies, and not to be scared to make the most of the time that they have together and ensuring that more of these Family Rooms exist.”