Tales Of Strength And Hope

A feature wall of beautifully illustrated fairytale prints hover above my sleeping baby in her nursery. It’s a constant reminder of how lucky I am.

Millie in her fairytale nursery

The prints are from the Fairytales for Hope project, raising much-needed awareness and money for Stillbirth Foundation Australia.

Hope Angel Heppleston, the first child of my friend Sally and her husband Simon, was stillborn – at 40 weeks, 5 days – on August 19, 2008.

There was no rhyme or reason as to why Hope died. The tragedy broke the hearts of her excited parents and all of us who shared in Sally’s joy as we watched her belly grow and waited for news of the birth of a happy, healthy baby.

It was a shock. I was well aware of the occurrence of stillbirths, but probably not aware of just how often it happens. And for it to happen to someone I knew meant it really hit home.

The couple, especially Sally, have become tireless campaigners for the cause. The Stillbirth Foundation has benefited from calls by Sally for donations in Hope’s honour, fun-run donations and by her spreading the word about the important research the foundation does every day.

Sally’s friend Tonia Composto, a Melbourne artist, illustrated her interpretation of a fairytale for each day of August, Hope’s birth month.

Being read a fairytale was one of life’s many pleasures baby Hope was denied.

The illustrations Tonia created have been printed and are just beautiful. I bought some long before I was pregnant but gave some as presents for new babies and kept some aside for myself. While decking out the nursery last year, five of my favourite prints were the first to go in my baby’s room.

Thumbelina, one of the 31 prints that can be purchased to raise money for the Stillbirth Foundation Australia

All the money raised from the sale of the prints goes to Stillbirth Foundation Australia. With the paper and printing costs generously donated, Sally told me this week that the project has so far raised close to $40,000. Incredible.

The pictures come in 25cm x 25cm ($20 each) or 15cm x 15cm ($10) sizes.

I can vouch for the fantastic quality of these prints. They are an inexpensive way to decorate a child’s room and have been admired by all who have seen Millie’s nursery.

“They are all over the world, so I’m so touched,” Sally said.

The simple Ribba frame from Ikea is perfect for the larger size prints and complements them so well. They are $9.99 and the illustrations can be set at the front or the back of the frame, shadow box style.

Prints can be ordered through the Stillbirth Foundation website.
For more information about Fairytales for Hope, click here.

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