In the UK around around one in every 225 babies are lost to stillbirth.  In most cases, that’s two bereaved parents each time that it happens.  You don’t imagine it as a possible outcome, and the resulting pain, sorrow, guilt and fear is immense. 

When I thought about setting up a birthday fundraiser I was initially inclined to focus on stillbirth prevention.  It feels more positive, upbeat etc to be talking about how to stop it from happening in future.  This is vitally important, but the reality is that many people do and will find themselves in our situation, and when you do, having support is so important.  We were really fortunate when we lost our daughter Elliot earlier this year to be under the care of Kings College Hospital where there are currently two dedicated bereavement midwives to look after families like us.  

They have done everything from helping to arrange our daughter’s funeral to phoning us almost every week to provide emotional care.  They support around 150 families per year between them - often for many months, and even years, including helping to manage the anxiety of future pregnancies.

If you are able to donate to the Kings Maternity Bereavement Fund you will be helping families like us to find a way to carry on living when you feel like it’s almost impossible.