Broadchurch’s Sarah Parish opens up about losing her daughter: ‘We feel proud of her life’
BROADCHURCH star Sarah Parish has opened up about the death of her daughter as she and her actor husband plan a mammoth fundraiser in her honour.
Sarah Parish to raise £2 million for new children's ward
In 2008, Sarah and James Murray welcomed a baby girl Ella-Jayne to their family but just eight months later she had passed away.
Ella-Jayne suffered from a heart defect as well as a rare condition known as Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome.
During their baby’s short life, Sarah and James were in and out of Southampton General Hospital frequently where Ella-Jayne was being looked after.
The couple, who began dating after starring in Cutting It together, set up The Murray Parish Foundation in memory of their late daughter.
“I think if you create something in memory of somebody that you’ve lost, it’s a reminder of them. And it’s a good reminder,” Sarah, 48, told Express.co.uk.
Broadchurch star Sarah parish has opened up about losing her baby daughter Ella-Jayne
Sarah and her husband James Murray are trying to raise £2million for Southampton General Hospital
What happened during that time has become something very meaningful
“Every time we do something and we are saving other children’s lives, we feel very proud of Ella-Jayne’s little life.”
She continued: “However short it was, it meant something. It wasn’t just eight months of trauma and sorrow. What happened during that time has become something very meaningful. What we’re doing is quite cathartic in a way.”
Sarah recently spoke about how the loss almost broke up her marriage.
Sarah and James have since had another daughter, Nell, who was born in 2010.
The couple are currently planning a Teddy Bear's Picnic-themed fundraiser
Sarah is currently starring as Cath Atwood in ITV's Broadchurch
The family are now embarking on an ambitious project to raise £2million to build a brand new major trauma department for children at the hospital in Southampton where Ella-Jayne was cared for.
Sarah explained: “When we speak to families, they always say the same thing. The treatment and staff are fantastic but the environment is inadequate, too small and cramped and depressing, which is just not good for a child in shock.”
Sarah and James are encouraging primary schools in the South of England to get involved in their Teddy Bear’s Picnic, which will take place in June.
Click here for more information on how to get involved.
Broadchurch continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV.