Wigan parents welcome plan to transform disused chapel into community hub

The family of a premature baby who died at just two days old have backed plans to transform a disused chapel into a hub for the community.

Kelly and Paul Cocklin’s son Enzo tragically died in December 2018 and was buried at Hindley Cemetery.

They visit his grave every day, come rain or shine, and have welcomed a project to revamp the empty chapel so it can be used by grieving families, as well as other members of the public.

Kelly, who lives in Hindley, said: “He was our first little boy and he was due in April 2019, but I went into early labour in December 2018. He was born at 23 weeks and five days on December 19, 2018 at Wigan hospital. We had no clue what to expect but he was born alive.

“They transferred him to Bolton but he died two days later on December 21.

“It was just too soon for him. They tried everything but due to prematurity, he couldn’t survive.

“It has been horrendous really and we practically live at the cemetery now. We are there all the time, every single day.

“I always wondered about the chapel. You get speaking to the same people every day and everyone is really friendly.

“On a day when it’s pouring down with rain, we still go but it would be nice to go in somewhere and take the time to talk to people. It would be a really nice place to go and remember him and talk to other people in a similar situation.”

The Cocklins often bump into Andrea Tyrer and Adam Prince, whose five-month-old daughter Emmie is buried near Enzo.

The couple have already raised hundreds of pounds to support the Friends of Hindley Cemetery, with Adam being sponsored to climb the Old Man of Coniston.

Kelly decided to raise money too in memory of Enzo and sent a message to her family and friends about it.

Her cousin Lydia Boffey organised a bake sale, which raised more than £100, while donations from their loved ones took the total to nearly £500.

Kelly, 32, who now has a five-month-old son named Jax, said: “We were overwhelmed with how many people supported it.”

The cash is a real boost for the Friends of Hindley Cemetery, who have been inundated with offers of help since the plans were reported in the Observer.

John Heaton, from Hindley-based Heaton Group, has pledged a substantial amount of funding, House of Hair in Wigan organised a raffle, and people are selling cookies and cakes to raise money.

The group is working with the council to progress with the plans and is considering setting up a sub-committee for the bereaved families of children, which could look at creating a special memorial for them.

They hope to hold an open day for people to see the current condition of the chapel and learn more about the plans, as well as have stalls with information and updates outside on a regular basis.

Chairman Julie Bennett said: “The fund-raising has been phenomenal. The people who are coming forward are amazing.

“It has been so humbling that all these people love this chapel and love this space.

“So many people do want this as a community hub where they can sit and have a chat and a drink or even just do nothing and contemplate and grieve.”