A THOUSAND unidentified babies whose bodies were held in the Alder Hey organ scandal will be buried together at a Liverpool cemetery this year.
The bodies will be laid to rest side by side after a three-year campaign by parents whose dead children were involved in the hospital's organ retention programme.
Liverpool council's executive board has revealed it will donate a large piece of land at Allerton cemetery for the funerals.
The babies, most of whom died at Alder Hey before 1980, will be buried in coffins paid for by the Department of Health.
Health managers said the burials would be carried out with the "utmost of dignity and respect". The first will take place in August, with others throughout the year.
Paula O'Leary, founder of Pity II, a support group set up by a number of grieving parents said: "I'm elated we've got the land.
"It's taken three and a half years of hard work, travelling up and down the country, everywhere.
"We've fought and fought. Now these souls can finally be laid to rest.
"I have fought for three and a half years to have these children given the dignity they deserve.
"Nobody knows who these babies belong to, but we have fought for them as if they were our own.
"I am delighted that somebody has finally recognised how important it is that these children are laid to rest. I am just saddened that it has taken so long."
A statement by Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority on behalf of the authority, Pity II, the University of Liverpool, Alder Hey hospital, Liverpool council and the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, said: "We can confirm at a meeting of Liverpool council's executive board on Friday, July 23 it was agreed that the council donate a plot of land at Allerton cemetery for the burial of a number of unidentifiable babies' bodies, foetal tissue, samples and blocks and slides held in collections in Liverpool.
"The vast majority of these remains are less than 28 weeks gestation period and predate 1980. "Liverpool council's decision will enable us to progress with a respectful burial. The plot of land has the potential to be used as a memorial garden at a future date."
The first funeral service will take place in the "Baby Garden" at Allerton Cemetery on Thursday, August 5 at 11am, and on subsequent Thursdays until all the burials are complete. Attendance at the funeral services is open to members of the public.
