Bournemouth baby forced to sleep in car with homeless parents dies

[Tony Gosling]

Tragedy as baby who slept in car with homeless parents dies
Lauren Howard / Sunday 27 September 2015 / News
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/13785482.Tragedy_as_baby_who_slept_in_car_with_homeless_parents_dies/
A BABY forced to sleep in a car with his homeless parents has died.
Donald, who was born prematurely at Poole Hospital, was just 
two-months-old when he passed away.
He and his parents featured in the Daily Echo in July when they spoke 
about their struggle to find a home in the Bournemouth area.
The cause of Donald's death is not known at this time.
The family's plight was originally highlighted by Claire Matthews, 
who runs the Hope for Food soup kitchen in Bournemouth. Claire 
contacted the Echo to say Donald had died and said his parents, now 
living in Kent, were "grief-stricken."
"They are in a very dark place at the moment, they have nothing to 
live for now," she said.
Claire, whose organisation has offered to help pay for Donald's 
funeral, said the parents did not want to talk more about the 
circumstances of his loss at this time.
The couple are understood to be living in a bed and breakfast and 
have yet to find permanent housing.
In July, they said they were unable to find enough money for a 
deposit and had stayed at a Boscombe bed and breakfast for a couple 
of nights, and had also slept in their car.
They said they felt let down by local councils.
Both Poole Borough Council and East Dorset District Council were 
contacted for comment after it emerged the mum had contacted their 
housing departments for help in the past. A spokesman for East Dorset 
said they had never received any requests to re-home the family.
Poole Borough Council confirmed their housing officers had spoken to 
the couple, and had offered advice and support, but were unable to 
help because she was based in Verwood at the time of her inquiry.
Donald's mum, referred to only as 39-year-old Jane, was admitted to 
Poole Hospital suffering pre-eclampsia and kidney problems. Donald 
was delivered two weeks early by emergency caesarean section on July 
6. The pair were kept in for a week due to ongoing concerns for 
Jane's health, and the baby boy was also admitted to NICU for a time 
due to low blood sugar levels.
The first time mum, who didn't think she would ever have children, 
told the Echo at the time: "I love him to bits. I just want him to be safe."
After hearing of Donald's death, Ben Tomlin, housing services 
manager, Borough of Poole said: "Borough of Poole was contacted by 
the mother and though she was not eligible, she was provided with as 
much support and guidance as possible.
"She last approached us in May and hadn't returned to Poole for help 
after her baby was born. Our deepest sympathies are with her at this time."
Baby Donald

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