In 2016 my husband, Matthew and I suffered our third miscarriage in two years. Reeling and shocked, and finding it very difficult to express the grief and pain we were feeling, we looked for some easy ways to distract ourselves. That’s when we discovered the TV series Nashville.

But Nashville is more than just a TV show. If you know it, you’ll know that it’s the music which makes it kind of special – music often takes the place of dialogue between characters. I suppose for me especially, that music became a way for me to have a dialogue with my own pain.

Through Nashville, I discovered a whole new genre of music and a whole new group of performers and songwriters. I discovered that the man behind my favourite character, Deacon Claybourne – aka Charles (Chip) Esten – was releasing a new song every single Friday.

While I grappled with symptoms of PTSD and the aftermath of our three miscarriages, along with the support of my wonderful family and friends, those records helped carry me through. I was struggling to see clearly towards our future, but in the midst of difficult times, there was the simple fun and enjoyment of looking forward to Friday and a new Chip Esten Song.

“it might be a song you sing….it might be a long walk or a phone call with a long lost friend…you just do what you gotta do, to get you through the blue”

Charles Esten “Through the Blue”

I began to understand just how much we had been damaged by our experience, and I realised at the same time that I wanted to speak out about what had happened to us, and to do something to raise awareness of miscarriage and the pain and devastation it wreaks. I decided to set myself the challenge of running for as long as it took to listen to my #EverySingleFriday playlist and to ask people to sponsor me to support the amazing work of the Miscarriage Association.

...the rest, as they say, is history! After four successful campaigns, raising over £30,000 and involving hundreds of people all over the world who have strutted, donated and supported us - including Chip Esten himself - #StrutYourSongs is now in its fifth year. 

Together our supporters have helped us to spread togetherness, light and music, breaking the silence surrounding miscarriage. 

Please join us on Saturday 31 July 2021 to #StrutYourSongs! Check out our team page for more information on how to join in - wherever you are in the world! You can also follow our campaign on Instagram (@strutyoursongs) or Twitter (@vickytreherne).