Comedian Russell Howard announced on Instagram that his baby son, Felix, died shortly after birth earlier this year. Howard and his wife, Cerys, shared the devastating news on Friday morning, expressing gratitude for the support they received from National Health Service staff.
In memory of their son, the couple is establishing The Felix Foundation. This organization aims to help families affected by miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, neonatal death, and related bereavements.
Howard stated that hospital staff provided extraordinary compassion and kindness during their most difficult time. He specifically mentioned a bereavement midwife named Lauren, who had experienced a similar personal tragedy and retrained to support other families. The couple was able to spend precious hours with Felix in a cool cot, creating cherished memories.
The Felix Foundation plans to support specialized bereavement care training for midwives, fund emotional and practical assistance resources, and provide or fund dedicated hospital facilities and equipment for grieving families. Additionally, the foundation will offer information and guidance to affected families and work to raise awareness about neonatal loss and the support needs of those impacted.