The wife of Norwich City star Graham Dorrans has spoken of her sorrow after having a stillborn daughter.

Graham and Yvonne Dorrans experienced the heartache of losing daughter Logan in 2010, as well as going through the agony of seeing baby daughter Ava battle meningitis.

But instead of dwelling on the hurt, Mrs Dorrans is using her pain to help other grieving parents.

The 29-year-old hopes sharing her story and raising money for charity will give other families the strength to carry on, knowing they are not alone.

Mrs Dorrans, who is about to embark on mountain climbing and a half-marathon for charity, said: 'No words can describe what it feels like to lose one baby and then come ever so close to losing another.

'We've been through more in the last five years than most couples go through in a lifetime but the heartache has made us stronger and brought us closer together.

'We miss Logan each and every day and feel blessed when we look at Ava, knowing just how close we came to saying goodbye to her as well.'

Mrs Dorrans, who is also mum to Leah, 12, and Austyn, one, told Scottish Sunday Mail: 'Many families have suffered the loss of a child and I want to do something to help. I got a lot of comfort from the people at Sands and am raising money for them in Logan's memory.'

She is raising the charity cash for Meningitis Now, Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) and Meningitis Care, who supported the family after Ava's scare.

She said: 'Both charities are so close to my heart.

'I also hope by sharing my story I will encourage others to speak about the often taboo subject of losing a stillborn child and at the same time raise awareness of meningitis.'

Mrs Dorrans, who married midfielder Mr Dorrans, 29, in 2011, was just over five months pregnant when she felt something wasn't quite right.

She ended up in hospital where she was told she was going to lose the baby.

'They induced me and on September 11, after an 18-hour labour, Logan was born sleeping.

'We got to hold her in our arms. She was perfect, just very tiny. It was heartbreaking having to organise her funeral. It's something you can never prepare yourself for.

'We still talk about her all the time. We have a wee memorial to her in our home and the kids point to the sky when we mention her name.

'We light a sky lantern for her on her birthday and let off a balloon at Christmas.

'As far as I'm concerned, I will always be a mum of four. It just happens that one of my daughters is in heaven.'

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