Welcome to the spring edition of the newsletter.

The Twins Trust BSG exists to support all parents and carers whose twins, triplets or more have died, whether it is during or after pregnancy. We are sorry for your loss and hope that you will find some comfort in the newsletter. If you would like your personal experience, poem or fundraising story to be included in a future edition of the newsletter please get in contact: [email protected].

I hope that you are all doing ok as we approach Mother’s Day. After my twins died, I found Mother’s Day one of the most difficult days of the first year. I always think of daffodils around this time of year so I usually try to take some to the cemetery during this time. I also find it helpful to have some at home too. Our Facebook page is usually fairly active on Mother’s Day so please know that there is support if you are finding things tough.

I hope that we are getting nearer to being able to see our friends and family again. It has been tough recently and I am sure there are some aspects of grieving that have been made more difficult.

If you would like to be put in touch with a befriender please let me know. We have mums, dads and a granny befriender with many different experiences between them. [email protected].

- Sharon

Poems

 

Maternity Engagement

Jane, Debbie and Jade make up the Maternity Engagement Team at Twins Trust and their main focus is to ensure that multiple pregnancies receive the correct level of care in hospital.

Initially funded by the Department of Health, the Maternity Engagement Programme is now one of Twins Trust’s priorities. We are committed to continuing the work as part of our ongoing focus on quality improvement for maternity units and to ensure better outcomes for babies.

The overall aim is to ensure that hospitals give antenatal care in line with national guidance as evidence suggests that following the guidelines saves lives. The team works with hospitals over a year-long period to help them improve and give them access to range of resources that the team have developed.

A summary of the improvements from units that took part can be found here.

Fundraising

The BSG Community Run

On 22nd May 2021, more than 25 of our Bereavement Support Group will be taking part in a 5K or 10K run to raise some funds for the group. We would love to make our team even bigger, can you join us?

There is a virtual option where you can run your own distance where you live. If you would like to receive a medal, please enter the virtual event here (external link).

If you can join us at the Olympic Park, London, it would be great to see you. We aim to meet up for a picnic afterwards (government guidelines will be followed). Sign up here (external link).

We are running to raise money for our bereavement group and in memory of all of our twins and triplets that have died. The money raised will continue to help us support many bereaved families. Last year the money raised helped us to provide two training sessions to around 30 befrienders. Our befrienders provide much needed support to our mums, dads and grandparents who have joined our group after the loss of one or more of their babies.

You can find out more on our JustGiving page:

Twins Trust BSG Community Run

Please email me for any more details about the run or joining our team [email protected].

Sam's story

Sam recalled her experience of last year's virtual run. "At the end of March we were informed that our run wouldn’t be going ahead, however we could do it virtually. The whole team would be running, but we would be scattered across the country. Training was going great during lockdown and I was looking forward to running a great virtual race. Then disaster struck and I developed a calf injury." Find out how she got on, and her reasons for taking part, here.

Why I am running for BSG

Michele, Catherine and Louise have kindly shared why they're taking part this year.

Michele Romain

My triplets were born 21 years ago, Samantha was born sleeping and Laura was seriously ill with a heart defect, Rebecca was fine. I was introduced to the Tamba* bereavement group by one of the midwives. I called and chatted, can’t remember who with as I was in shock, and thought, 'I am fine.' Well I wasn’t and the group got me in contact with the bereavement counsellor and through my doctor I had about six counselling sessions, which I never thought I needed; I did.

Also through the group a lady who had triplets the same age as mine and who lived close to me, contacted me as she had lost her daughter at 13 months. We have been friends ever since and her triplet survivors, two boys, get on so well with my girls. So I am doing this run to give something back, for all those years ago for the help I received when I needed it most. I am truly grateful.

*Twins Trust was previously known as Tamba (Twins and Multiple Births Association)

Catherine Copley

Myself and my husband James are running the virtual 10K in memory of our twin girls Sofie and Scarlett who we lost in October 2018 at 24 weeks.

We were fortunate enough to have our rainbow baby Charlie, last March 2020 and in a bid to try and return to some level of postnatal fitness and also to take some time for myself, I started running and found that I really enjoyed it. So often when I’m out running I find myself thinking about the girls and so when I saw this opportunity it seemed the perfect goal to set myself. I started running once a week and was doing approximately 5K. Since signing up for the 10K I’ve been going out twice a week and I’m gradually upping my distance each time.

I’m looking forward to running for such a wonderful cause. The Twins Trust Bereavement Support Group has been a great support to me, especially in the early days after we lost our girls. I’ve been comforted by the words and support of others who sadly know what we’ve been through, and have also benefited from a befriender. I’ll be thinking about all our beloved babies as we join together and run on the 22nd May.

Louise Bowman, Twins Trust Family Support Senior Coordinator

I have never really enjoyed running but last year I took part in a virtual 5k for our bereavement group as I see first-hand how the money raised can help the families we support. This year I am aiming for 10k which for me is a challenge but I have started my training and have two 5ks under by belt and plan to build this up over the next couple of months. I have actually enjoyed the time just me and the pavement, and on a couple of occasions I have taken my girls on their scooters too. I take my inspiration from all the families within our bereavement support group, our amazing befrienders and Sharon who coordinates our group. She is my work colleague, a friend and now my running coach!

Myself and my husband were lucky, after a very traumatic birth with our twins and a worrying 24 hours we got to bring our girls home, but I know that not everyone is as fortunate. This is why we provide the bereavement support service at Twins Trust to offer families the support they need through our online support group, befriending, booklets and resources and by being involved in research in the hope that some families don’t have to experience the death of their baby or babies. 

If you are going to donate to a charity this year then please do consider ours as unfortunately more work is still needed to stop multiple birth pregnancies ending with one or more of the babies dying. So we know we are going to need to support more families this year and the money you donate will be used to support these families.

Thank you to all our fantastic runners, and good luck with your training!

5.80 Challenge

We could all do with some positivity and motivation…why not get busy, active or creative (or all three) and join us on our 5.80 Challenge on 10th April?

What’s the significance of 5.80? Well, that's linked to our ambitious goal of saving 580 babies' lives by 2022. We're sure we can do it with your help, raising the funds needed to fuel our work. By taking part you’ll be a true life-saving hero!

This can be whatever you want it to be. Walk 5.8 km, scoot 580 metres, bake 58 cupcakes, write a 58 line poem or do 58 different things – it's up to you. If you can't take part on the 10th, don't worry, there's nothing stopping you taking part on another day!

Find out more

Virtual London Marathon

Always wanted to run the London Marathon but haven’t been successful in the ballot? This year there's a unique opportunity to join 50,000 runners taking part virtually, on the same day as the event in London. Virtual runners can complete the run in the 24-hour period, on 3rd October. We're delighted to have 10 places up for grabs.

If you’d like to join the Twins Trust team, please contact Lucie at [email protected] to find out more. If you’re one of the lucky runners who got a space in a ballot, we'd love you to run for Twins Trust; don’t forget to get in touch so we can support you with your fundraising.

Other events

Charity places are also available for the Ben Nevis night hike in June, the London 10K in July and the Great North Run in September – all at your fingertips. Money raised will go to support your BSG community. 

Please email Lucie for all the details, she'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch