Losing Annette has been heartbreaking for all that knew her. 

For the very best part of her life she was full of light, love and hope for herself and those around her, but over the last few months she began to feel fragile, less optimistic and less able to cope. 

Reaching menopause and working her way through the raft of emotional, physical and mental challenges meant that, in an incredibly short space of time, this confident and soulful woman unravelled to the point of taking her own life.

We will never be the same. We will always have unanswered questions and a hard core of grief within us that we know will soften with time. 

We have been moved by the enormous wave of love and support from friends and strangers. A community that launched into action and have held us in their thoughts ever since.  For that we are so, so grateful.

Now, as we begin to take small steps into a world without Annette in our lives, we are resolving to help in some way,  to give women struggling with the menopause some additional help and support. 

We are joining with the team at MENOPAUSE SUPPORT UK  to help them raise funds to:

Significantly improve menopause education amongst GPs – far too many women are suffering as GPs receive very little, if any menopause education during their training, leaving them ill-equipped to recognise and manage a phase of life that will directly affect at least 50% of the population.

To raise awareness within the workplace and for all employers to have menopause guidelines in place to be able to support women experiencing symptoms. Too many women feel unsupported at work and currently 1 in 10 leave the workplace due to menopause symptoms.

The charity MENOPAUSE SUPPORT have already successfully campaigned and  bought about a change to ensure that menopause education is included in the PSHE curriculum for all teenage boys and girls. Every woman and man deserves to understand this phase of life. Far too many individuals and relationships suffer as a result of a lack of understanding of menopause.

As a family we would love it if you could do TWO things. 

* Donate and leave a message.

* Sign the MAKE MENOPAUSE MATTER petition here.

As Menopause Support UK is a CIC (Community interest Company) we are currently unable to collect Gift Aid, but please rest assured that every pound you donate will help support women to feel better understood and to be given exactly the right support at the right time.

Thank you from all of us.