4Louis Reaches Milestone of 250,000 Memory Boxes Donated to Bereaved Families Worldwide

Charity marks a momentous achievement in its 14-year mission to support families through baby loss

4Louis, a leading UK-based bereavement charity, and Official Charity Partner of Kielder Marathon Weekend 2025, is proud to announce a major milestone: the donation of its 250,000th memory box to support grieving families. Over the past 14 years, 4Louis has provided these memory boxes free of charge to hospitals across the UK, along with reaching military families in Germany and Cyprus, and families as far away as the Unites States, Australia, and Brazil. Each memory box represents a story of loss, remembrance, and enduring love, providing comfort to families facing the most challenging moments of their lives.

The charity was founded in 2009 by Kirsty McGurrell following the stillbirth of her son, Louis. Her personal experience inspired a mission to help other families dealing with baby loss by providing memory boxes containing keepsakes to honour each child’s memory. What began as one mother’s journey to support others in grief has grown into a national and international cause. In addition to memory boxes, 4Louis offers miscarriage pouches, early pregnancy loss kits, and bereavement training for healthcare professionals.

“Reaching 250,000 memory boxes is an incredible milestone, but it’s also a reminder of the families who experience baby loss every day. Each box represents a family, a child’s memory, and a story of love and loss. We’re deeply committed to supporting these families, and we are immensely grateful for the support we receive to continue this mission,” says Kirsty McGurrell, Founder of 4Louis.

The memory boxes are thoughtfully assembled with keepsakes such as a handprint and footprint kit, a soft blanket, a teddy bear, and a candle, allowing families to create lasting memories of their little ones. 4Louis’s boxes are distributed to hospitals, ensuring that families have access to this compassionate resource, regardless of location. Healthcare professionals also play a critical role in the distribution of these boxes, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to provide an important source of comfort to grieving families.

The Impact of 250,000 Memory Boxes

The milestone of 250,000 memory boxes highlights the growing awareness and importance of bereavement support for families experiencing baby loss. Families who receive a memory box often express deep gratitude, with many describing the box as a source of comfort and a means to honour their child’s life. Healthcare providers, too, share how the memory boxes provide an essential service in their bereavement care efforts.

One mother shared, “When we lost our baby, the 4Louis memory box gave us something to hold onto. It was a way to remember and honour our daughter, and it’s something we’ll cherish forever.”

4Louis’s commitment to supporting bereaved families remains as strong as ever, with plans to continue expanding its resources and reach. The charity also provides training to healthcare professionals to improve bereavement support and awareness in medical settings.

How to Support 4Louis

4Louis relies on the generosity of its donors, volunteers, and supporters to fund and assemble memory boxes, miscarriage keepsake pouches, and early pregnancy loss kits. Those interested in supporting 4Louis at Kielder Marathon Weekend 2025 can apply for a fundraising pack when registering a race, or by contacting info@eventsofthenorth.com. Learn more about 4Louis’s mission via their website www.4louis.co.uk.

About 4Louis

Founded in 2009, 4Louis is a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting bereaved families through baby loss. The charity provides memory boxes, miscarriage keepsake pouches, and bereavement training for healthcare professionals, helping families across the UK and beyond. 4Louis’s memory boxes are distributed free of charge to hospitals, clinics, and military facilities, offering a compassionate resource for families navigating grief.