In 2003 I lost my first born child at 32 weeks pregnant. A daughter. Isla had complications that were unknown until this point in pregnancy which deemed my baby girl "incompatible with life". 3 words you cannot even begin to imagine will be said to you when referring to your much loved and wanted unborn baby. In the weeks after her birth I took comfort from the items they gave me in her memory, I filled every little book in, looked at her hand and footprints, looked at her photos and locks of hair and it made me feel and they still make me feel like she is remembered, that she did exist. This is all funded by SANDS. 15 years ago the subject was very taboo and I felt the only ones who understood were those who had been through the same loss. I spent hours on their website and forums talking to others who were also grieving. The impact this had on the grieving process was massive it gave me a focus and a reason to get up each day. I have been blessed with 3 more healthy children and it means a lot to give back to a charity so close to my heart ❤️

SANDS, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, operates across the UK: supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby; working in partnership with health professionals to ensure that bereaved parents and families receive the best possible care; and promoting improvements in practice and funding research that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives. We depend on the amazing energies of our supporters to raise the vital funds that we need to deliver the wide range of services that we offer. #TeamSands