'This Leeds hospice was our lifeline - now we're giving back with a project in our daughter's memory'

Stephen Wilson and Melissa Howard have created a series of colouring books to raise funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice in Wetherby, where their daughter Freya received specialist support after suffering a cardiac arrest at just ten weeks old.

Freya was an “amazing” girl whose favourite place in the world was The Deep in Hull, Stephen and Melissa said.

She also loved it when her parents would transform the house into an aquarium by drawing the curtains and putting fish on the TV.

But Freya lived with significant health issues following the cardiac arrest, and died in September last year at just 22 months old.

Stephen said: “Everything was fine when she was born. She was perfectly healthy and at ten weeks old had a cardiac arrest at home.

“Of course life changes after that but she was just strong and determined to get on with things.

“We’ve always been happy that we got the amount of time we got with her because not many people survive a cardiac arrest at home let alone a 10 week old.”

Following extended hospital stays, Freya was cared for by Martin House who helped Stephen and Melissa learn how to meet her needs.

Stephen said: “They helped us learn how to look after Freya before we got Freya home. If we had any problems with Freya they were our first point of call.

“They helped us so much. We’re very lucky in the UK to have places like Martin House which are free to go to.”

The pair, who live in Bradford, have now launched Britain in Lines, an adult-friendly colouring book series, which depicts towns and cities across the UK including Harrogate, Durham, and Scarborough.

The project began as a way to manage their grief, but to give back to the hospice, they decided that 10% of each Britain in Lines colouring book sold will be donated to the organisation.

Melissa added: “There’s always someone at Martin House that can help.

“They’re speciality is children and young people with special needs or disabilities and they just instantly understand. It’s like a weight lifted off the shoulders.

“To be able to raise money for them to help them provide what they gave for us to other families is just really important.”

For Stephen and Melissa, colouring has been an important source of mindfulness as they grieve their daughter.

They hope that the books can help others find the same sense of calmness no matter what they have experienced.

Melissa said: “Being able to just sit and forget about everything and colour gives you a moment to turn your brain off which is so important for everyone.

“Trauma or not, it’s important to have an outlet and there are no rules with it.”

Stephen added: “Take your time with it. It’s about taking that little 10, 15, 20 minutes out of your day just to sit down and have time to yourself.

“Maybe make a cup of tea or a coffee and take time to colour. It’s not about finishing a book in a week, it’s just taking your time when you need to.”

Rebecca Taylor, regional fundraiser at Martin House Children’s Hospice, said that it has been a “privilege” to be part of Stephen, Melissa, and Freya’s journey, and that the charity feel “honoured” by the family’s support.

“Our focus as a hospice is to provide care, comfort and support to families like Stephen and Melissa, and we’re so glad that we were able to be there for them when they needed us most.

“Each year, we care for more than 500 children and young people with serious and complex health needs like Freya. Our services are available to families completely free of charge, 24/7, 365 days a year.

“It costs around £12 million a year to provide this specialist care, and the majority is funded by voluntary donations and fundraising.

“Stephen and Melissa’s ongoing support for Martin House will have a huge impact for families in similar situations, enabling them to receive the specialist care and support they desperately need.”