Hello lovely friends.

It's been a while since I did anything public in memory of the twin girls I miscarried, Padme and Sorrel, or in support of Zephyr's Centre - the charity who helped me so much after they died. I couldn't work for a year: I could barely breathe, to be honest. I cried an ocean, and that was on good days. On others, I was numb. Or sick with fury, envy, shame and agonising sorrow. I had miscarried eight consecutive pregnancies, almost all of which I needed IVF to achieve. Then, I had to navigate the terrors of trying yet again, and daring to dream it could be different...

The wonderful team at Zephyr's held me together through it all, with such personal, warm, loving care, and they continue to do the same for so many others, but they can't do this amazing work without fundraising. There is so little help out there for people impacted by miscarriage and the loss of a baby or child. We need Zephyr's!

So I am taking part in the Zephyr's Firewalk Fundraiser on 2 February - yes, just a couple of weeks away.

It's a special date for me, the start of the old Celtic new year, Imbolc, on which I make and celebrate new beginnings. I chose it for my final IVF embryo transfer - and it's now therefore the anniversary of me becoming pregnant with my miracle baby Z!

Can you spare £2 - one for each of my sweet girls - and to again give me courage to 'walk through fire' for my babies?

~

Zephyr's (registered charity number 1199772) supports parents and families in Nottingham who have experienced loss, from early gestation to the death of an older child. We are led by bereaved people, for bereaved people, providing activities including: volunteer-led peer support; specialist bereavement counselling; safe spaces of connection and understanding online and/or in person; creative and holistic therapies; information sharing, books and resources.

All funds raised by fire walkers will support the Zephyr's bereavement counselling service. You can read more about the counselling service here: https://www.zephyrsnottingham.org.uk/counselling/

Thank you.