Bereaved parents who joined together following the loss of their children are giving back to the hospice which supported them.

Nick and Elaine Loades - from Colkirk, near Fakenham - and Kyra Welch - from Wicken Green - have raised more than £34,200 after joining forces to organise events including three balls at Holkham in support of the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Mr and Mrs Loades’s daughter, Ellie, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after birth and died in November 2013, aged 16. She received care at EACH’s former hospice at Quidenham.

Miss Welch suffered her own loss when her son Kaiden died in October 2021. He had coronary heart disease (CHD), detected after 18 weeks of Kyra’s pregnancy - but lived to eight-and-a-half. 

Eastern Daily Press: Kyra Welch (left), Nick Loades (right) and The Countess of Leicester, who donated the use of the Lady Elizabeth Wing at Holkham (for the balls).Kyra Welch (left), Nick Loades (right) and The Countess of Leicester, who donated the use of the Lady Elizabeth Wing at Holkham (for the balls). (Image: Each)

EACH supported Miss Welch and she continues to attend monthly bereavement support groups at the charity's new hospice, the Nook.

Miss Welch said: “Fundraising gives me a focus and something to channel my energy into.

“It’s a charity that has always been there for us because we were supported throughout Kaiden’s life.

“I used to feel alone but, thanks to my counselling, don’t anymore. Instead, I feel supported and aware that others are going through the same thing.”

Eastern Daily Press: Ellie Loades' parents Nick and Elaine are organising a series of fund raising events in her memory. Ellie Loades' parents Nick and Elaine are organising a series of fund raising events in her memory. (Image: Archant © 2014)

Two cheque presentations recently took place – one with Elizabeth Coke, the Countess of Leicester, from Holkham, reflecting the money raised at the balls, and one with EACH community fundraiser Ellie Miller. The latter was for more than £27,600.

Both were received on behalf of their respective charities – Ellie’s Love and Kaiden’s Big Fight.

The trio have other fundraisers in the pipeline, including a barn dance in June and a skydive in August - and another ball in Holkham, in November.

Eastern Daily Press: Kyra Welch with her son, Kaiden GriffinKyra Welch with her son, Kaiden Griffin (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Mr Loades said: “This year’s ball will be especially poignant as the previous day will mark ten years since we lost Ellie.

“Kaiden would also have been 10 so there are two huge milestones there."

The trio thanked everyone who has supported them with their fundraising.