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Spring fair in memory of baby Marko who died 10 days old
by George Lindsay-Watson
A couple whose son died when we was just 10 days old are hosting a spring fair in his memory.
Tanya Grujic and her husband Luka were devastated when their second baby, Marko, died in January last year after he suffered brain damage from a lack of oxygen during the birth.
Tanya, of Lancaster Road, Northolt, said: "We've suffered a terrible loss and there's no positive we can experience from this.
"It's the worst nightmare you can imagine, you never think you'd out-live your children. It's hard to try and accept that it would have been preventable."
All proceeds from the event next month will go towards children's charity Bibic, which supports families caring for babies with conditions including brain injury. The family would have relied on the charity had Marko survived after being born 8lb 2oz at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in North Acton.
The 32-year-old mum said: "It was something I wanted to give back, to try and make something positive, to help other families. I want to do him proud.
"I wanted to raise awareness but first and foremost it is about Marko's memory. I wanted to tell people about the warning signs, if the baby goes into distress, like Marko did, you need to get that baby out.
"That's my motivation and to celebrate my little boy's short life."
Tanya and Luka relied on family and friends to help them through the difficult time, especially their first son, four-year-old Danilo.
When Tanya became pregnant shortly after Marko's death they were overjoyed. Baby Mia is now three months old and for Tanya she represents a new beginning.
"You have to adapt to a new life. I had Danilo, he was my rock. He was my motivation to get out of bed in the morning until Mia was born," she said.
"We call her a rainbow baby, because a rainbow comes after the storm. It will always be like that, he's my angel and she'll always be my rainbow."
Perivale Residents' Association has waived the fee of hiring the clubhouse, in Ealing Central Sports Ground in Horsenden Lane South, Perivale for the event on Saturday, May 12 from 2pm to 11pm.
Food and refreshments will be on sale, with a magician, bouncy castle, face painting and balloon modelling to entertain the youngsters, and music from DJs and Abba tribute duo Chiquititas. Entry is £3 for adults and £1 per child.
To donate online visit www.justgiving.com/Tanya-Grujic.
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