A charity which creates a supportive environment and social outlet for families following the loss of a baby is calling on the support of the local community to help raise money to keep their memory garden going in Fivemiletown.

The Molly & Mia Foundation was set up in 2013 by Dianna McDowell, who lost her twin girls in 2009.

Dianna has charity shops and a memory garden in Fivemiletown which is a great source of comfort for many families to remember their babies.

"The families have got great solace from it. Families that have lost children from 40 years ago they go and sit it's actually lovely," explained Dianna.

"We provide for lots of local families and they all plant a tree and it is really good. It’s a very sad thing but it's good.

"It's all about connecting. We had our lovely memory day in Stewartstown where I have my charity shop and we brought all the mums together and they are all going to meet at the garden too."

Lorna Duffy, who lost her son Olly at one week old in 2010, volunteers with the Molly & Mia Foundation and has seen the importance of the memory garden.

To help with raising money for the upkeep of the garden, Lorna is holding a raffle.

"I was introduced to Dianna when I was doing a little fundraiser after Olly died. After meeting her it transpired that we had both been in Craigavon Hospital at the same time but never met.

"I was in having Olly and Dianna was in after her little rainbow baby boy after losing the girls. We’ve remained friends ever since and every year on Olly’s birthday I try to do something to mark it so this year I’m doing the raffle to try and raise enough money for one year's worth of rent for the garden. 

"The Molly & Mia Foundation has been such a great network of support to me and so many other grieving mums across Northern Ireland," added Lorna who thanked the businesses who have donated to the raffle.

Lorna added: "There are many trees planted in the garden by families in memory of their loved one and it is a beautiful space for remembrance and reflection."

The charity regenerated the derelict site in Fivemiletown to create the memory garden but it is also used by children from the local primary schools for gardening.

The raffle includes prizes from Rosnashane House, Ballymoney, Dobbies, Courtney's Steakhouse, Newry, Newry Guesthouse and Forever Living Mama's Aloe.

To buy raffle tickets visit the Molly & Mia Foundation Facebook page: https://tinyurl.com/3c9stbzj

The raffle will take place on October 27 which would have been Olly's 14th birthday.