Our Story
It all began with a little idea…
We wanted to change the way that parents are supported after the death of their baby, and now we are providing care boxes to several hospitals and health clinics across the ACT, and connecting with local loss families.
I’m Alex, Penny and Lyla’s Mum.
I’m really glad you’re here. I’d love to share a bit about how Love From Penny & Lyla came to be.
I'm married to Duncan, and together we have two beautiful girls, Penny and Lyla. Sadly we only get to hold the girls in our hearts, not in our arms. We lost Penny to miscarriage at 13+4 weeks in 2022, and Lyla shortly after she was born at 23+1 weeks in 2023.
'Love From Penny & Lyla' is a way to share our babies with the world, to make sure their memories live on, and in a way, to parent from afar. It's a great comfort to be able to pass on the love that Penny and Lyla have brought to us, to others who need it in their darkest hours.
Anna Dewar Photography
Our Mission
To provide support, comfort and connection to families who have lost a baby during pregnancy or early infancy.
To ensure grieving families know they are not alone.
Our Principles
A loss is a loss, at any stage.
We are working to break the taboo that sadly still surrounds baby loss, particularly during earlier pregnancy. Regardless of when your baby dies, your grief is not ‘too much’ or ‘over the top’. Your baby matters, and the way you want to remember your baby is wholly up to you - this matters.
Leave no-one behind.
We believe that by sharing experiences, we can show others walking the same path that they are not alone. While no two stories are the same, it can bring comfort to know that there are others out there going through something similar. Community makes us alls stronger.
Talk about your baby!
It might feel ‘weird’ to others, but it is completely normal to want to talk to your baby after they die. It’s not uncomfortable here - we would love to hear about your baby and your experience of this parenthood, that looks so different to what you planned.
We are an approved third party fundraiser
Love From Penny & Lyla is a third-party fundraising organisation under the Canberra Hospital Foundation. CHF is a registered charity, and the endorsed charity for Canberra Health Services. It is committed to making a difference in the lives of patients and their families in the ACT region.
CHF ensures that every donation and in-kind support positively impacts patients and families in the wider Canberra region who require treatment at Canberra Health Services public healthcare facilities.
How we Support
Loss Parents.
Care Boxes and Bags
Carefully curated care boxes and bags containing thoughtful items to support those experiencing baby loss at any stage.
Community
Creating connection, building community and making change to support Canberra’s loss parents. Ensuring no one walks this path alone.
Events
Hosting events to support loss parents, and raise funds to donate care boxes and bags. Providing support and joy during difficult times.
“Losing a baby at any stage is heartbreaking, and can be such an isolating experience for so many.
Our aim is to reach out to families experiencing pregnancy and baby loss, and let them know they are not alone.”
— Alex, Penny & Lyla’s mum
Testimonials
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"After the loss of our darling baby boy, Alex personally gifted me a beautiful box. In what was an absolutely devastating and heartbreaking time, it offered an incredible amount of unexpected comfort, love and hope. Many of those items were very generously donated by a number of other bereaved mum’s and included ideas and items for memory making. All items in the box were stunning and beautiful and we will cherish it forever. Thank you so much."
- A
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"So comforting. A mix of practical and sentimental things."
- A
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“I loved my box. I wish I had received it earlier. Particularly the little books from Remy and Jack (maybe that is something medical professionals need to be educated on, as some of the info would have been really helpful when we were doing end of life care but we received them after our daughter's death). Thank you for all that you are doing to support bereaved parents."
- A
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“Knowing that our little girl was acknowledged even though she was only here for a short 14w5d."
- S
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“Grief is so hard but this is one beautiful initiative."
- S
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"The box is absolutely gorgeous. Everything in there is stunning and beautiful, and so incredibly generous. Thank you so so much."
- T
