I used to work at Victoria Centre, Nottingham and became good friends with a colleague, Julie Oldwill. I met her wife, Heather, and when the baby bump appeared, I was as excited as Julie. All of her colleagues followed the pregnancy, scans, Heather blooming, and were looking forward to meeting baby Oldwill.

Alexandra Jayne Ivy Oldwill was born asleep.

Julie and I had worked together that day, and she rang me from the hospital to tell me the devastating news. I know my feelings couldn’t match those of Julie and Heather, but I was also truly devastated. To watch the so happy couple go through this immense life change was heartbreaking, and I felt pretty useless not being able to help in taking their pain away.

During the next few months, Julie introduced me to Forever Stars charity and told me all about the work they did, and how they were supporting them both. I watched how Julie and Heather transformed with their help, finally able to cope with the day-to-day, and learned to function as human beings again.

When I retired, Julie asked me if I was willing to give some time to the charity doing administration and I agreed.