My name is Leanne Louch and I’m a volunteer for Forever Stars. I’m proud to be their Embrace Ambassador, running workshops specifically for parents who have experienced baby loss and do not have any other children.

I became involved with the charity in 2016 after losing my twins, Thomas and Jack, at 16 weeks and 4 days. Because of their gestation, the boys were classed as a miscarriage. They were born at City Hospital, where the staff did their best to support us, but the facilities were truly shocking.

My waters broke on a Monday morning. By Wednesday night, I was placed in a side room on the maternity ward, and on Thursday, I was rushed to one of the labour suites, where I was told both boys had died and I would need to give birth. The rooms weren’t soundproofed – I was surrounded by the sound of crying babies. My partner slept on the floor or in a chair beside me, and we kept a radio on 24/7, though it only played Smooth FM. I stayed in that room until Sunday. It felt more like a spare room or utility room; it wasn’t comfortable, and there was even a cot in there.

When we got home, our bereavement midwife, Mandy Dann, visited us. We told her we wanted to raise money to donate a better radio that could play more than one station. I definitely think we’ve managed to do more than just that.

We lost the boys on 1st July, and by September of the same year, we had organised our first tea party fundraiser. It was much more than a tea party; it included raffles, stalls, and was bigger and better than any of us expected. Surrounded by our friends and family, we raised an incredible amount. We’re already planning another tea party for the boys’ 10th birthday.

Over the past nine years, we’ve held several cake sales, bacon and sausage cob sales at my workplace, raffles, and sponsored 5ks. I think nearly everyone I work with owns a baby loss badge and a pair of pink and blue socks! We also ran a JustGiving page when the Serenity Garden was vandalised, taking part in several media interviews—including one with my mama, who was ‘celeb spotted’ the next day in Beeston as “the lady from the news last night!”

We’ve attended charity balls, comedy nights, and Christmas fayres. We’ve also volunteered at the Serenity Garden several times. This year will be my fourth time taking part in the One Step At A Time Walk – I’ve only managed the full 26 miles once!

In 2024, I was honoured to win my company’s first-ever Charity Champion Award. As part of the award, they donated money to Forever Stars, and I received £500 worth of vouchers. I was also proud to be nominated for – and to win – the Notts County Foundation Captain’s Corner Award.

I say this often, but Forever Stars is a huge part of my life and my family’s life – they feel like an extension of our family. I truly don’t think I’d be the person I am today without them. I’m lucky to have a brilliant support network of friends, family, and colleagues who are always ready to help and raise funds to keep the charity going.

I’ve seen firsthand how the work I’ve done and the work of the Serenity Centre has helped other families. That makes me incredibly proud. In memory of my boys, I’m doing something to support others.

I’m also always happy to speak to anyone who needs support.