Please add Fund number 4639 to any donations to ensure your donations goes straight to The Forget me Not Fund.

In January 2021, my husband and I had our first son Joshua at Basingstoke hospital. He was 10 days over due and weighed 8lb07, after a quick labour we made it home and had the most amazing week, enjoying our new born bubble. When Joshua was 1 week old, we noticed he felt cool and after taking his temperature discovered it was dangerously low. We rushed him into the hospital and he was quickly admitted to the Neonatal ward, where our world came crashing down. After several hours and tests, we discovered that he had contracted the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1.

It had taken over his body and also caused Sepsis. Late that night, we went in an ambulance to Southampton hospital, it was touch and go whether he would even make the journey, and after being transferred to PICU he passed away the next day.

Losing a child is one of the most devastating and heartbreaking things anyone could go through. We have lived through some horribly dark days and nights, and at times were not sure how we would get through. One of our lifelines was our bereavement midwife, Laura and The Forget me Not Fund. An amazing charity that supports parents through losing a child during late pregnancy or a neonatal death.

The charity funded specialist counselling for us both, they gave me acupuncture to help the physical pain of giving birth and then losing my baby, every ounce of me knew that I should have my baby in my arms. I was able to attend meetings where I met other bereaved parents and hear their stories, and it was here that I started to no longer feel alone. The Forget me Not Fund also sponsors SANDs Basingstoke football team, which has been a lifeline for my husband, meeting other Dad’s in a setting where sport and their babies have brought them together.

We continue to parent Joshua in our own way every day, but this never feels enough. On the 29th January, Joshua should have turned 4 years old, and this year he should be starting school and hitting so many other milestones. In Joshua’s memory and to celebrate him, we are both running the London Landmarks Half Marathon on the 6th April in Joshua’s memory, raising money for the charity has that helped us so much, so it can continue to help other bereaved parents.

We feel so well supported through our amazing family and friends, who have stuck by us through everything. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support and keeping our baby boys memory alive, every day.