I am fundraising for the Friends of Serenity charity due to bereavement being close to my heart. As a student Midwife, witnessing the challenges faced by families during their most difficult moments has inspired me to support this charity.

Friends of Serenity is a charity based in East Lancashire that supports families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal loss. They work closely with the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, particularly the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre, to provide facilities and resources for bereaved families. Some of their initiatives include:

The Butterfly Suite: A dedicated space for families to spend time with their baby in a calm and private environment.

Memory Boxes: These are provided to families to help them create cherished memories of their baby.

Rainbow Boxes: Specially designed for families who have a "rainbow baby" (a baby born after a loss), offering support during this bittersweet time.

Mama Academy Wallets: Distributed to families to promote awareness of key signs and guidelines for healthy pregnancies.

Tree of Life Appeal: A project to create a peaceful outdoor courtyard with a blossom tree sculpture, offering a reflective space for those affected by baby loss.

The charity also raises funds for medical equipment and other enhancements to improve care for families. Their work is driven by compassion and a commitment to supporting families during incredibly difficult times.