Supporting Grieving Siblings with Love, Comfort, and Connection
When a family experiences the devastating loss of a baby or young child, the impact is felt by everyone, including siblings. Children may not always have the words to express their grief, but having something to hold, love, and connect with can make a world of difference. The Lexi Doll Charity was born from one family’s heartbreak and their desire to support other children through the loss of a sibling. We spoke with the founder to learn more about the beautiful inspiration behind the Lexi Doll and how this heartfelt initiative is helping children around the UK find comfort in the midst of grief.
1. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the Lexi Doll and how the charity first began?
When we lost our daughter Lexi in 2016, Lexi’s Nannie brought 3 rag dolls one for Lexi to take with her and the other two for her 2 cousins that were 2 and 3 years old at the time. They were very excited for her arrival as they were with me (their auntie) the entire time I was pregnant. We felt these dolls could help them with the loss of their cousin and have some sort of presence. From this my partner said we should do this for other children and that’s when the idea for The Lexi Doll Charity was born.
2. What is the mission of the Lexi Doll charity, and how has it evolved since it started?
Our mission is to help as many children grieve and try and make sense after losing a sibling. Whether our dolls can help for one day or for many years, we hope that it supports the family and the children through this journey. We have always wanted to be in as many hospitals and hospices around the country just so that one child can receive a doll and it will truly help them with their grief.
3. How do Lexi Dolls help grieving siblings process the loss of a baby or relative?
It is documented throughout history that toys can help children with PTSD, grief and trauma. We hope that with the Lexi dolls can help the child share their grief have something to play with and hold, to hug and love.
4. What has the response been from families, hospitals, or professionals who have received a Lexi Doll?
We have had so much positive feedback from both Hospital teams and the parents themselves. Bereavement Midwives have said how the children of the families they look after are drawn to certain ones and how they play with them. Parents have told us about the amazing adventures that their children take their dolls on including school, the beach and even Disney land. When we receive this feedback we feel that we are doing the right thing and if the doll can help in the moment, we are doing something right.
5. Can you share a memorable story or piece of feedback from a family who received a Lexi Doll?
The one that always sticks with me is when a little girl that lost her sister, and her doll went everywhere with her. Her mum always found her speaking to her doll and naming her in memory of her sister. Her mum reached out to me and shared her story and pictures of her daughter holding her doll in the middle of Mickey and Minnie mouse at Disneyland, to know that she carried around her doll around the whole of Disneyland so that her sister could see it all and be with her.
6. How do you decide which hospitals or organisations receive Lexi Dolls, and how can others request them?
Any Hospital and Hospice in the country can request dolls and we welcome them all. For the first delivery we send a box of 10 dolls including 5 girls and 5 boys of different ethnicities. Then we provide an order form for them to order more or if they need a specific doll and we continue to supply them. We do like to deliver the first batch of dolls personally so we can introduce ourselves, tell them our story and why Lexi dolls. Speak to the team here.
7. What challenges have you faced in growing the charity, and how have you overcome them?
Fundraising is our main challenge as having a committee who work full time is finding the time to do events, this is so important to us as we need to make sure we have the funds to buy the dolls so when they are needed, we can send them straight away . We also find it challenging advertising our own events in the right places and to make sure our events are as successful as they can be.
8. How do you envision the future of the Lexi Doll charity, are there any exciting plans or goals for the year ahead?
We are excited to be able to go into more hospitals and to help as many families through the loss of a sibling and hope that one day our dolls will be in all of them. We also hope to hold Baby loss balls in memory of Lexi and all babies in heaven, to spread awareness and to be able to have other Charities come and show their work.
9. In what ways can individuals or organisations support your work, whether through donations, partnerships, or awareness?
We are always looking for people that can volunteer to do events for us like tombola and craft tables to raise those all important funds. Individuals that would like to join our committee and help drive us into the future.
10. On International Siblings Day, what message would you like to share with grieving siblings and the families supporting them?
You are not alone. You have the right to think, feel and express. Grieving a sibling is hard, but they are always with you, guiding, protecting and loving you. The butterfly, the robin, the feather, the rainbow.
The Lexi Doll Charity is a powerful reminder that even in the most unimaginable loss, something beautiful can grow, a legacy of comfort, compassion, and connection for grieving siblings. Through their precious dolls, personal outreach, and commitment to supporting hospitals and hospices, the charity continues to bring moments of comfort and presence to children navigating grief. Whether it’s through donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every bit of support helps ensure more children receive the comfort of a Lexi Doll when they need it most.