Couple hope pregnancy boxes will help after loss

Dan and Amneet Graham say their support boxes can help families experiencing pregnancy after loss

A couple who set up a charity to help families experiencing pregnancy after baby loss have said they hope to provide support boxes to every hospital in England.

Amneet and Dan Graham, from Gillingham in Kent, set up Willow's Rainbow Box in 2017 after the birth of their daughter Willow, following a miscarriage the year before.

The charity creates comfort boxes containing items such as a journal to log thoughts and a set of positive affirmations to promote wellbeing.

Ms Graham described her own miscarriage as "horrific" and her "worst nightmare" which left her feeling anxious when she fell pregnant again.

The boxes are intended for women and families who have experienced loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

Ms Graham said of her own experience: "It was just horrific.

"It was my worst nightmare and I just remember being there and one of the nurses said that I could 'just try again' like it was nothing."

When she became pregnant again she said she felt "so anxious but didn't know where to turn. There were groups for baby loss but as I was pregnant, it felt a bit insensitive to go."

Mr Graham delivered a rainbow box to staff at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle

Other items in the boxes include cards to show healthcare staff to convey the added stress women may feel, plus a crochet pack and links to tutorials.

So far, more than 500 boxes have been delivered across England.

Ms Graham said: "At the moment we [deliver] England wide but we want to be able to break down barriers so people don't have to come to us and can get a box from their hospital if they want to."

On 15 September, Dan delivered a box from Medway Maritime Hospital to Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, using just buses in a journey which took 17 hours.

He said: "I did my very best to replicate that long and winding road of pregnancy after loss.

"It was difficult and a tough journey and I hope that I have done people proud."

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