Annie’s Story
We are JP and Sarah, Annie’s parents and founders of Annie’s Butterfly Crew.
Our mission is to raise money for Hampshire Forget Me Not Fund, a charity who support bereaved parents.
Here is our why:
Our daughter, Annie was born sleeping at 22 weeks. On 30th December, a scan revealed severe brain and heart abnormalities, with her measuring below 1%, and we were fast-tracked to the Southampton Fetal Medicine Unit the following day. It was there, on New Year’s Eve, that we learned our precious girl no longer had a heartbeat. Our world fell apart. After being so compassionately cared for by the midwives in Basingstoke, Annie was born in the Butterfly Suite at 1:17am on 3rd January 2026, following a 14-hour labour. She was deeply loved and will forever be part of our family.
On Sunday 13th September 2026, we are hosting a 5km and 10km charity run to raise money for The Forget Me Not Fund- an incredible charity that has supported us throughout the most difficult time of our lives. Please read below to learn more about the amazing work they do.
The Forget Me Not Fund
The Forget Me Not Fund is a bereavement service based in Hampshire, dedicated to supporting families who have lost a baby during pregnancy or during the neonatal period. The charity helps maintain Basingstoke Hospital’s Butterfly Suite — a private, peaceful space away from the bustle of the maternity ward. It was here that we delivered Annie, and where we were given precious time to hold our sweet girl, read her a story, and simply be with her before having to say goodbye.
The Forget Me Not Fund also provides memory boxes and keepsakes, including storybooks, blankets, and prints of her tiny hands and feet for us to treasure forever. Alongside this, we received ongoing support from our dedicated Bereavement Midwife, Julie, through visits and phone calls during those first difficult months, as well as access to specialist counselling and the Flutterbyes community support group.
Every part of this compassionate care was funded by The Forget Me Not Fund, and it became our lifeline. We truly do not know how we would have navigated the grief and trauma of losing Annie without their support.
Unfortunately, we are not the only family to have experienced this kind of heartbreak.In Annie’s memory, we want to give back to The Forget Me Not Fund by raising money to help support other families who find themselves facing the unimaginable loss of a baby.
