Angel Gowns WA is part of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Helping Hands Angel Gown Program Australia.
Co-state manager Alana Smith, of Clarkson, said the group had already received 70 dresses since its formation in March.
‘Once the dresses are received, they are deconstructed and washed as needed,’ Ms Smith said.
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READ NOW‘We create one ‘key’ gown from each dress, which will replicate (as far as possible) the original donated dress.’
Ms Smith said the gowns would be donated to WA hospitals.
‘They will be available to be gifted to grieving families at the discretion of the hospital staff,’ she said.
‘Families can also contact us directly.’
Ms Smith said wedding dresses were so much more than just frocks.
‘Weddings and wedding dresses are symbols of family, love and hope for the future,’ she said.
‘The dresses that have been donated to us have been gifted with love, with many given in memory of precious children gone too soon,
‘Our Angel Gowns have been created with compassion… even as we enjoy the beauty of the garments it is tempered with sadness for their purpose.’
The group accepts wedding dresses of any age, fabric and colour, as well as other formal gowns.
‘We also accept ties, which we can make into vests for baby boys,’ she said.
FACTS– The first wedding dress Alana Smith worked on was transformed into nine ‘angel gowns’. – Each day in Australia seven babies are either stillborn or are born prematurely at plus 20 weeks gestation. – These figures do not include miscarriages under 20 weeks or babies who survive after five days from their birth and then pass away. Contact details– facebook.com/angelgownswa– angelgownswa@gmail.com