Norfolk parents speak out about EACH following bereavement

The tireless fundraisers, Nick and Elaine Loades and Kyra Welch, have raised more than £34,200 after joining forces. 

All three are bereaved parents who have been supported by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (Each). 

Mr and Mrs Loades daughter, Ellie, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after birth and died in November 2013, aged 16.  

She was friends with Ms Welch, who suffered her own devastating loss when son Kaiden, who went to school in Holt, died in October 2021. 

He had coronary heart disease which was detected after 18 weeks into his mother's pregnancy. 

Having had open-heart surgery after just three days, he defied doctors by living until he was eight and half.

Ms Welch, of Wicken Green, near Fakenham, continues to attend monthly bereavement support groups at The Nook. 

As a way of showing their appreciation to Each, the three have become dedicated champions of the charity and their fundraising balls alone have raised more than £16,500.

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

"It feels a part of me now and I can’t imagine not doing it. 

"I didn’t know what to expect when we started organising the first ball and was nervous no one would turn up. 

READ MORE: Mum pays tribute to 'everyone's sunshine' Kaiden, eight

"As it turns out, we had so much love and support and thankfully that’s continued. 

"It’s been amazing and for last year’s ball we managed to sell 250 tickets. 

"We’ve got another one coming up in November and the same number of tickets were snapped up and sold in just 48 hours. 

"We’re so grateful to everyone who gets involved. It makes all the hard work worthwhile and it’s great to support Each. 

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

"I can’t imagine doing it without them and, even now, it’s a source of great help. 

"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 and in the same situation."

Mr Loades, of Colkirk, also near Fakenham, added: "Fundraising is our way of giving something back and to have raised as much as we have makes me very happy and proud. 

"I can’t imagine going through something like we did without Each. 

"Or rather, I can imagine it and it would be absolutely horrendous. 

"I didn’t know which way to turn at the time but, fortunately, we had so much care and support. 

"Just knowing there’s always someone on the end of a phone made the world of difference. We appreciated it so much." 

Two cheque presentations recently took place; one with the Countess of Leicester of Holkham and one with Each community fundraiser Ellie Miller. The latter was for more than £27,600. 

Both were received on behalf of the trio's respective charities, Ellie’s Love and Kaiden’s Big Fight.

The trio also has other fundraisers in the pipeline, including a barn dance in June and a skydive at Beccles in August. Attention then switches to their next ball, at Holkham, in November. 

"This year’s ball will be especially poignant as the previous day will mark 10 years since we lost Ellie," Mr Loades said. 

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

"I can’t believe where the time’s gone. It’s flown by and doesn’t seem possible." 

Ms Welch has recorded two special videos about Kaiden, including one beautifully voiced by her son himself. The second was played at last year’s ball.