An emotional personal experience has prompted a Kurri Kurri woman to raise funds and awareness about miscarriage.
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Leanne Polglase had fallen pregnant with her first daughter Harper quite easily.
She and husband Todd planned for a second, but had to endure an heartbreak to get there.
Mrs Polglase suffered three miscarriages in the space of just 12 months before she gave birth to her son Henry.
“This was both hard emotionally and physically very challenging, draining and a roller coaster ride for the body and mind,” she said.
“From such highs when you find out that you are pregnant to the very rock bottom of finding out that your pregnancy is not going any further is an absolute heart breaker and it still aches my heart when I think about what happened.”
She said she received little support from the hospital system, but found an organisation called Bears of Hope.
Bears of Hope’s mission is to provide comfort and support to those who have experienced the loss of a baby during pregnancy, birth and infancy.
Mrs Polglase said she felt compelled to help them, so she set out to organise a four-day bike ride to raise funds and awareness for Bears of Hope.
She put the word out there and soon 21 riders and four support crew had signed themselves up to complete the 400km ride from Coffs Harbour to Kurri from October 12.
The group is already over half way to their $10,000 fundraising goal.
But the trip is about more than just money.
Mrs Polglase said miscarriage was still considered a taboo subject.
Ms Polglase said it wasn’t until she had her first miscarriage that she realised some of her friends had been down the same road as well.
“No one speaks about it, but we should be there to support each other,” she said.
“We’re strong and we knew we could get through so let’s help others.”
The group have started a fundraising page for people to support their cause.
To donate, visit https://bearsofhopecommunityevent.gofundraise.com.au/page/LeannePolglase.