Clare Pitts, 50, and Julia Rogers, 42, both lost their sons to sudden unexplained death and met at the graveside on Mother’s Day. Clare’s son Harry, 13, died in July last year, just a day after celebrating his grandad’s 80th birthday. Julia Rogers found her son Louis, 22 months, dead in bed in June 2021. Both mothers realized they had lost their sons to SUDC, a condition that kills up to 50 children in the UK each year. They are now working together to lobby the government for more research into finding a cure for this devastating condition, aiming to raise awareness and prevent more deaths.
Clare talks about the shock and devastation of losing Harry, a fit and healthy boy who loved sports and spending time with his family. They had a normal day celebrating a family birthday before Harry suddenly passed away. She describes the utter numbness and emptiness she and her family felt after his death. Julia shared a similar experience with the loss of her son Louis, who was longed for and loved by their family and friends. Despite the support they received, the grief and trauma were isolating until they found each other and formed a bond over their shared experience of loss.
Julia and Clare are determined to raise awareness and increase research into SUDC to prevent more children from suffering the same fate as Harry and Louis. They found solace in each other’s company, knowing that only others who have gone through similar tragedies can truly understand their pain. Their friendship has provided them with a sense of belonging and support that they couldn’t find elsewhere. Through their lobbying efforts and campaigns, they aim to stop this terrible condition from tearing more families apart and ensure that no parent has to go through the death of their child alone.
Their meeting was more than a coincidence, as they discovered they were both part of a larger group set to visit Parliament to campaign for SUDC research just days after they met. Their involvement in this cause has brought them closer together as they work towards a common goal of preventing more unexplained deaths in childhood. SUDC UK highlights the need for more attention and resources to be directed towards understanding and preventing sudden unexplained deaths in children, citing the importance of raising awareness to reduce the number of such tragic incidents.
The two mothers found comfort and understanding in each other, sharing memories of their sons and connecting over the overwhelming grief they both experienced. Julia and Clare’s friendship has helped them cope with their losses and provided a support system as they navigate through the difficult journey of grieving. They hope that by sharing their stories and working together to raise awareness, they can make a difference in preventing more families from enduring the pain of sudden, unexplained loss. Their determination and strength in the face of such adversity serve as a powerful reminder of the bonds that can be formed in times of great hardship and tragedy.
