06/08/2026
Though Arwen’s time with her parents was short, it is clear that every single minute of her life and since her passing, she is deeply loved and treasured.
At just 13 weeks into pregnancy, Gareth and Amy received the devastating news that their daughter had anencephaly, a life-limiting condition. Faced with uncertainty and heartbreak, they chose to make the most of the time they had with Arwen – recognising her inherent dignity and value, naming her and preparing for her arrival.
Reflecting on Arwen’s short life, her dad Gareth said: “She spent her entire existence on this planet in our arms, knowing nothing but love and being wanted and cared for and valued.”
From the very beginning, Gareth and Amy believed Arwen’s life had meaning and purpose. She was not simply a diagnosis or a medical condition. She is a daughter, a sister and a child who was known, wanted and cherished. Their decision to honour her memory through Gareth’s fundraising challenge for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice is a powerful reflection of the impact one small life can have.
Thank you to Gareth and Amy for sharing Arwen’s story publicly. Their story also highlights the vital role of organisations like the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, who provide compassionate care not only for children with life-limiting conditions, but also for the families walking alongside them through some of their most painful and difficult moments.
Source: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/family/dad-raises-10k-after-losing-baby-daughter-just-after-birth-she-spent-her-entire-existence-on-this-planet-in-our-arms-knowing-nothing-but-love/a/159627593.html
