It was the 30 July 2008, a beautiful sunny day at the start of the summer holidays. Little did Paul and I know that by the end of the day, our life as we knew it, the life that we loved, the life that made us happy and secure, would disappear forever. I was at a friend’s house and had been enjoying a lovely day with my three children in their swimming pool. We were all tidying up ready to return home. We had replaced the cover on the pool, hung out our wet towels and had been back in the house for tea. Jessica was playing in front of me and in the blink of an eye she was gone. Frantically we searched the house and garden calling for her all the time, expecting to find her up to her usual mischief. My heart was racing and panic was beginning to set in. Then my worst fears were confirmed as I pulled back the cover of the pool. Jessica, my little Angel had drowned, she was 21 months old.

The relationship between parent and child is unique.  The death of a child is an unimaginable loss that no parent ever expects to face, it leaves you searching for meaning and wondering how you will ever live life again in the face of such pain and anguish.

Somehow Paul and I have survived the last five years it has been a struggle and we miss Jessica with every heartbeat.

In our new unfamiliar life we have had the help and support of an amazing organisation called Child Bereavement UK. We feel this is such an important charity as none of us knows when in an instant our lives could change forever, be turned upside down, ripped to shreds and you are left not knowing who to turn to or where to go for help. Child Bereavement UK provides specialised support, information and training to all those affected when a baby or child dies, or when a child is bereaved.

Along with raising our other three beautiful girls, Paul and I do all we can to support the charity in terms of fundraising and raising awareness of the charity. We hosted a ball and 50’s & 60’s night. In 2011 Paul and I completed the London Marathon and in 2012 Paul cycled from London to Amsterdam.

My challenge this year (24 March), along with my amazing friend, Louise, is 5 days dog sledding through the wilderness of Northern Lapland where we will drive our own team of huskies over 200km.  We will be responsible for the dogs the entire tour. This means harnessing, feeding, cleaning etc. We will be mushing through forests and across frozen Lakes, preparing our own food round the camp fire and sleeping in wilderness cabins. Lets hope we can handle the cold!

Never did we think that we would be so passionate about fundraising but the satisfaction and personnal achievement we have had from keeping our daughters memory alive and raising close to £35,000 has been amazing.

We thank everyone that has supported us in the past and hope that you will continue to support us on our journey.

 

Thank you

Carolyn Turner

 

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