COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER IN MEMORY OF MARGOT

As many of you know, our daughter Margot was stillborn at 28 weeks on 3rd September 2023. My pregnancy with Margot had been a 'normal low risk' pregnancy and everything was perfect, until it wasn't. We went to the hospital to 'just check' everything was ok after reduced movements. In that scanning room, our whole world changed forever when we heard the dreaded words 'I'm sorry there is no heartbeat'. We were on holiday at the time, Margot was born in France.

Absolutely nothing can prepare you for this kind of traumatic loss. The pain is indescribable and truthfully, I have no idea how we have got through the past 11 months.

I have learnt a lot over the last year, one of those things being that nothing will erase the pain of losing Margot but the smallest of gestures, the thoughtful acts of kindness and the support of those around us, have absolutely helped us get through the hardest of our days.

We are so grateful for the incredible medical care and support we received in France and have continued to receive in Australia. Especially in those terrifying early days in France, having the kindest of midwives guide us and help us create our most precious memories with Margot will be something we will hold so closely to our hearts forever. Those early days are a blur and only now are we realising how important and special those memories you make together, really are.

Thanks to social media, I came across a beautiful group of grieving mother's here in Western Australia. They have come together to bring 'In Memory of You' to life. An initiative run solely on donations. A little about In Memory of You:

"In 2023, a small group of grieving mothers came together with a beautiful idea of joining forces to create memory boxes for families experiencing the heartache of losing a much loved baby prior, during or shortly after birth.

These boxes are now only a loving tribute to our own babies who couldn't stay, but a meaningful way to 'pay it forward' ...to channel our grief, love and experience into making a small difference for those who will come after us.

Since this time, our little group has blossomed into a much larger community , welcoming bereaved Mums from all stages of their journeys. Together, we're making a big impact.

We're now working with over 10 hospitals in Perth and beyond, providing Memory Boxes for families dealing with stillbirth, TFMR and neonatal loss. Along with miscarriage keepsake packs for those facing earlier losses.

While we know nothing can erase the pain of losing a much loved and longed for baby, we hope out boxes offer some small comfort during what can be an isolating and stigmatised experience.

We are incredibly grateful for any donations that help us keep this initiaive going. We desperately need more financial support in order to maintain quality, improve our offering and meet demand."

On Saturday 24th August, I will be hosting a community event at my pilates studio - The Studio Down South, in Margaret River. There will be cheese, wine and a second hand clothing sale with a few of the team of instructors, having a stall. All the money raised from my clothing stall will be going straight to In Memory of You. There will also be a donation jar on the day for In Memory of You.

Since advertising this event, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of people wanting to donate in memory of Margot, who can't be at the event in Margaret River.

If you would like to donate, please do so through this page. All proceeds will be going straight to 'In Memory Of You'. We cannot wait to see what can be raised and have no doubt that the impact these funds will have on future families going through heartbreaking loss.

Let's spread kindness in memory of Margot.

Thank you for your support,

Laura & Jeff xxx