LEIA Violet Pugsley arrived stillborn on September 8, 2018.

Leia’s mum, Leanna, was nearly 30 weeks pregnant, and, as is often the case, there was no known cause.

Leia’s family were offered a memory box containing items which could be held, worn, hugged, and swapped, as keepsakes designed to be of comfort to families.

Leanna then decided to use her experience to pay forward the kindness and generosity shown in the days following this tragic loss and help others in the same situation.

Following Leia’s funeral last October, Leanna, her husband, and friend Holly made a commitment to help and support families facing similar tragedy, while giving back to the local community.

Leia’s urn had been painted violet and decorated with coloured shapes, glitter and her name in painted wood - not everyone may think to do this or be able to get this done but the opportunity to personalize a child’s final resting place can make the experience less impersonal, and softer.

Clothing for babies so small cannot be purchased in shops, they are handmade.

These are usually christening style gowns made from wedding dresses, knitted hats and boots, memory envelopes and wraps and blankets.  

Leanna and her team will provide a variety of urn decoration kits, keepsakes and bonding items to hospitals, and directly to parents, free of charge – while raising awareness of the little things families can do to adjust to the pain of losing a child.

The day after Leia’s funeral Leanna set up a Facebook page and so far 62 dresses have been donated for adaptation during sewing sessions at Purple Stitches in Basingstoke.

From Leia with Love is now on the journey to becoming an established support group in Basingstoke, with trustees, volunteers, and a fundraising target of £5,000 with a view to get charitable status with 25 per cent of this target raised to date.

Go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fromleiawithlove.

To find out more, donate items or volunteer go to facebook.com/fromleiawithlove.

For information or support in setting up a charity or community group email admin@bvaction.org.uk.