Hollie’s Journey helps open up the conversation about loss with all proceeds going to charity

Hollie’s Journey helps open up the conversation about loss with all proceeds going to charity. Picture: Richard Lynch/ilovelimerick

Hollie’s Journey is available for purchase again, ahead of Infant Loss Awareness Month this October, offering a resource to help children understand grief

Limerick’s Áine Healy Collins initially released ‘Hollie’s Hourney’ in February 2024, and the author has announced the book is available again for purchase through her Instagram page.

Proceeds raised from the sale of the book will help fund two charities offering support to families and children experiencing loss, Children’s Grief Centre and Féileacáin.

To anyone who needs some extra support to help guide their kids or bereaved siblings, or help navigate grief and open the conversation, ‘Hollie’s Journey’  is a beautiful resource.

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

Ballingarry mother Áine Healy Collins has written the children’s book to help children and families cope with loss. Aine wrote “Hollie’s Journey” following the loss of her new-born baby girl, 12 hours after she was born on Christmas day 2022. The book which has a special significance for herself and her and aims to keep her daughter’s name alive. Hollie was born on Christmas Day in 2022, but she passed away in hospital 15 hours later. Aine said the book became her diary and helped her on the way.

Aine said she hopes the colourfully illustrated children’s book will help other bereaved parents to cope with such loss.

The book is about the unbreakable bond between a boy named Kai and his sister, a girl named Hollie, who are separated by loss but forever joined by love. This is a story that explains the heartbreaking journey that began with Kai’s excitement and hope at finding he was going to be a big brother, and the awful realisation then that his sister had died.

Kai embarks on a new journey in life and acquires new coping skills, where he is continually learning to adjust to his loss. He learns to understand and to truly believe that his sister Hollie, will always be with him throughout life.

Announcing the book is available again, Áine wrote on Instagram, “This book is a true guide to help open up the conversation with your child about loss — offering gentle words and colourful illustrations to help a curious mind begin to process grief as they start their own journey. A heartfelt reminder that bonds of love never fade.”

She noted, “All proceeds go directly to Féileacáin and Children’s Grief Centre — supporting families and children through loss. Please note: The book is no longer available in O’Mahony’s Bookstore. It is only available here through this Instagram page via DM”

This book is accessible whether the loss occurred yesterday or years ago, and also reminds us that our relationships with the little ones gone before us will carry on after death, and is available to purchase online.