The comedian Russell Howard and his wife have announced they have set up a charity after their son Felix died hours after he was born.

The Felix Foundation was set up this summer to fund specialist training, equipment and hospital spaces to improve care around preterm birth, still birth and neonatal loss.

In announcing the charity’s launch Howard explains how the couple’s experience this year prompted them to launch the charity.

He said: “During the most devastating time of our lives, the hospital staff who cared for us showed extraordinary compassion, kindness and humanity. They helped us navigate an unimaginable heartache and gave us support when we needed it most.”

He particularly praised the bereavement midwife, Lauren, who had experienced a similar tragedy and was assigned to support Howard and his wife, Cerys Morgan, who is an NHS doctor.

“After losing her own baby, Lauren retrained as a midwife so that she could help other families going through what she had been through. Her care meant more to us than we can ever put into words.

“During our time in hospital, Felix was placed in a cool cot, which meant that my wife and I were ale to spend precious hours with our beautiful boy. We could hold him, talk to him and tell him just how much we loved him. Those hours are among the most precious memories we have of Felix.”

To help launch the foundation and fundraise Howard is to host a comedy gala at The O2 in London on 8 February, involving Michael McIntyre, Jimmy Carr, Greg Davies, Aisling Bea and John Bishop among others. All are performing for free.

Howard is listed as one of five trustees at the charity, according to the Charity Register and Morgan is listed as chair.

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