Help Us Support Bereavement Care for Families Like Ours

On June 6th, 2024, Johnny and I received life-changing news: we were expecting our first child. A moment that would surely change our lives forever.

Unfortunately our story doesn’t have a happy ending.

At 19 weeks our joy turned to heartbreak as I became incredibly sick. On Friday, September 13th, we received the devastating words no parent-to-be ever wants to hear: “I’m so sorry, your baby has no heartbeat.”

In those heartbreaking moments, the compassionate staff at Royal Devon and Exeter’s Labour and Delivery Ward provided us with the support we needed.

Early on September 14th, our beautiful little boy was born into the world, already a sleeping angel. The pain was unimaginable, but the care we received from the Heartsease room —a specialist bereavement suite for families enduring pregnancy loss—gave us the space and support we needed to say goodbye to our baby.

The Heartsease Room, funded by the RD&E Bereavement Charity, offered us privacy and the comfort of time with our son. This safe, gentle space was our sanctuary as we began to process our grief. In those dark hours, this ward and the incredible team behind it gave us a bit of peace when we needed it most.

Now, in memory of our son and to help other families facing such loss, Johnny, our family, friends and I will be running the Riverside 5-Mile on the 9th February 2025 to raise funds for the RD&E Bereavement Charity. By donating to this fundraiser, you’re supporting the vital work of the Heartsease Ward, which offers comfort, care, and dignity to grieving families who need it most.

Every contribution, big or small, will help sustain this essential care. We hope that, together, we can give future families the same compassion and sanctuary that we received, making the worst day of their lives just a bit more bearable.

Thank you for your kindness, for honoring our little boy, and for helping us support a cause that means the world to us.