Name: Cathy Milburn

Organisation: Heart in their Hand

Award Category: Cherished Keepsake

Sponsored By:

Voting Is Now Closed

My Plea:

When Adam died in 2007 at 31wks, my life took a very different turn. He was with us one minute and gone the next and the rug was pulled out from under us. Not knowing what we were ‘allowed’ to do, we left a teddy with him, but I’ll always remember the absolute longing I felt to feel more connected, especially once we’d said our final goodbyes. Creating precious memories in those moments is such an important part of the journey and are moments that stay with us forever and I’ve always felt like we didn’t do ‘enough’. The longing to somehow feel connected stayed and so out of that longing came the idea of the Heart in their Hand project. I wanted to help others by helping them feel a lasting connection when saying goodbye to their little ones. So I refocused my jewellery career into creating precious two part keyrings & hearts, so that other families could feel a more tangible, longer lasting connection that can last forever.

The little cut out heart can be placed in the baby’s hand or blanket when saying goodbye and the parents keep the matching keyring, creating the tangible connection. It is something we would have loved to do at the time with our Adam and many others have said this too, so I knew this was going to be very meaningful and special. The feedback from parents has been amazing and very touching.

When first launching the project in April 2016, I wanted to give parents the opportunity to provide the gifts to their local maternity unit by way of ‘paying it forward’, to help other bereaved families going through what they have. I had no idea it would grow in the way it has and I am now incredibly humbled to have been able to supply over 12500 gifts so far, to charities, hospitals, funeral directors and parents directly. It is an absolute labour of love for my little team and I, and it warms our hearts yet breaks them all at the same time! I am often mentally and physically exhausted, but when I am sent incredibly moving photographs of precious babies holding their heart and just seeing these little fingers wrapped around it and knowing a lasting connection has been made just melts me. My gorgeous Adam and these beautiful little babies spur me on to keep going and reach more families and I will do my best to make them proud.

I am extremely grateful for the lovely nominations received and to be able to work with such amazing people that support families as they say goodbye.

Cathy x
Mummy to Adam Lee Milburn 2.1.07

Lindsey’s Nomination..
” After Elsie passed away, we only had a few days to be able to find ways to honour and remember her as best we could. I googled every possible question around baby loss and making memories. During this search, I came across ‘Heart in their Hand’.
After losing her little boy, Cathy from ‘Heart In Their Hand’ has created keyring which enable parents to keep the outer part and give their baby the centre.
I quickly ordered two keyrings and received a response to say Cathy was on holiday, but her friend would send us a couple out (I must have sounded desperate in my email!!). I received them the following day and took them into our funeral home. We sat with Elsie in her little room under the stairs. She was sleeping in her moses basket. We held her hand and placed one of the hearts in each of her hands.
For us, it creates a lasting connection. When I hold my keys and slip my thumb inside the centre I know Elsie is holding on tightly to the middle heart. Our keyrings are now our most treasured keepsake, and we cannot thank Cathy enough for creating these beautiful pieces.”

Abbie’s Nomination…
” For helping so many families to heal”

Hilda’s Nomination…
” I believe she deserves the award ”

What Others Have Said

For us, it creates a lasting connection. When I hold my keys and slip my thumb inside the centre I know Elsie is holding on tightly to the middle heart. Our keyrings are now our most treasured keepsake, and we cannot thank Cathy enough for creating these beautiful pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsUAs-f9xa8