A mum who tragically lost her child following a premature birth is supporting other women through her online network which is now 3,000 members strong.

Chantelle Martin, who lost her son Forrest after he was prematurely born in Darent Valley Hospital at 21 weeks in 2016, is the founder and managing admin for the Our Little Stars Facebook group, a forum for women who lost their babies through miscarriage and other complications.

The group offers these women a space to share their stories and seek advice on sensitive issues such as burials, memorial plaques and aftercare.

Members of the group also create memorable graphic images to help honour those babies lost in childbirth.

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Members of the admin team who help Chantelle with requests and posts

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Chantelle, from Sidcup, explained she got the inspiration to start the group after working with the charity, Little Baby & Co, which helps provide clothing and other items for prematurely born babies.

"Talking about my loss helped me and I know a lot of people who have gone through losses but they find it hard to open up.

"But I feel talking to people that have actually gone through it could help me more than a counsellor could.

"Since starting it, a lot of people have come forward who have never shared their stories or their photos before as they couldn't do it on their own Facebook page because of stigma from other people telling them to take them down," she said.

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Chantelle with baby Forrest, born on August 6, 2016 at 21 weeks and five days

Since the inception last year, the group has attracted almost 3,000 women from across the UK who wish to share their stories and seek support for their loss.

Along with Chantelle the group is managed by a number of admins, including Chantelle's sister who unfortunately suffered a miscarriage, prompting her to help her sister.

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The group are now looking to branch out into fundraising and have already raised enough money to buy more than 100 Easter eggs, 13 teddies, some comforters and nappies for the maternity ward at Darent Valley Hospital.

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"With Darent Valley Hospital, we're going to arrange a day for us to go up there and hand the stuff over.

"We were just thinking that we need to spread out wings and we need raise more awareness about baby loss and the group.

"And so I went back to Darent Valley because that's where my little boy was born.

"I also have a little girl who was born in their special care unit so we decided that we wanted to help them," said Chantelle.

Those wishing to donate to the Our Little Stars fundraiser can do so here.