On the 22nd November 2012 my sister and brother-in-law’s lives changed forever, when their beautiful little first daughter Hollie was born prematurely at 31 weeks gestation.

Hollie was critically ill in NICU on a ventilator and was diagnosed with Trisomy 18-Edwards Syndrome. Heartbreakingly after only four days Hollie grew her little angel wings on the 25th November 2012, leaving our family’s hearts broken.

In less than six months later a similar tragedy happened to my good friend Thomas Jones and his wife Lesley, with their first son Thomas William Jones growing his angel wings on the 04 Apr 2013, after only an hour of meeting his parents.

Forget-Me-Not’ Bereaved Parent Liaison Group

Following Hollie’s death my sister Janine, who herself was a midwife at the time, has become involved with the 'Forget Me Not' group. Through their work they provide a forum for parents who have been bereaved through miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of their child.

The forum offers an opportunity for parents to discuss the care provided and to identify what is being done well and also identify areas of service that could be improved.

As examples of their work, the ‘Forget-Me-Not’ focus group

- raised funds to provide bereaved parents cared for within the Maternity Unit with a digital camera, photo printer, memory boxes and baby blankets.

- funded the bereavement suit and continue to contribute to the upkeep in the Ulster Hospital

- organise and hold children’s annual bereavement service

- provide bereavement training for staff

- fund vital equipment within the labour ward and Neonatal unit, i.e. cooling mats, parent packs etc

Further information on the group can be found here

https://www.familysupportni.gov.uk/Service/7330/bereavement/bereavement-support-midwife--south-eastern-trust

How are we raising money?

As many of you will be aware, before 01 Jan 2021 I could barely run the length of myself and was carrying a few stone too many. Since then through the drive of my partner Kelly. the running shoes have been dusted down and runs that initially lasted only a mile have increased to 5k, then 10k, followed by 10 miles.

Over the last few months Thomas Jones has also been putting in the miles, with us completing a number of runs together to help prepare us for the distance.

The next step for us both is to complete the virtual Belfast City Half-Marathon (13.1 miles) on the 01 May 2021 and hopefully raise some funds for this excellent group.

All proceeds raised will go to the 'Forget Me Not' group at the Ulster Hospital.