AN ALLOA couple held a bingo tea to raise funds for the Forth Valley Royal Hospital bereavement room on Saturday.

Paula and Richard Tasker's son Tjay was stillborn two years ago and they wanted to give something back to a service which did so much for them during a difficult period in their life.

Prizes were donated and the parents and children from the town came together to enjoy an evening of fun and laughter at Hawkhill Community Centre.

More than 60 people were in attendance as the community showed their support for the room and its staff who help parents that have lost children at birth.

Paula told the Advertiser: "The whole night went to plan, it went great. Loads of people turned up, more than what we were expecting. I think it was about 60 or 70 people. We had to bring in couches and stuff like that because there were so many."

NHS Forth Valley bereavement adviser Susan Milne attended on the night to share information about the service and Paula admitted her input was invaluable in raising awareness.

"She gave a brief introduction and spoke about what she does, and what the room is there for," she added. "I think some people didn't really understand what the bereavement room was so with Susan explaining it all I think they understood it a lot more."

At half-time people went outside for the balloon release to remember infants who are no longer with us and Paula felt those at the fundraiser really gravitated towards the cause, which they were supporting.

"All the balloons got given away," she said. "Some people wrote messages on their balloons and we did a count down for the release.

"I just want to thank the community with them donating all of the prizes. It was just a good example of the community coming together."