Nicola Graham, the founder of Reuben’s Retreat, has won an honour in the wins ‘Amazing Women Awards’ scheme run by Woman & Home magazine.
She won the award for ‘Community Hero’ in the northeast, northwest and Yorkshire region, in recognition of her work setting up the charity in memory of her son Reuben.
The charity, which is heavily supported by the travel industry, was founded in August 2012 following the death of 23-month-old Reuben Graham and supports bereaved families and those with children with life-limiting or terminal conditions.
Based in Glossop in Derbyshire, the retreat is renovating a former hospital which can offer facilities and support for families.
Commenting in the magazine about her award, Nicola said she was “humbled and grateful that being involved might mean we reach more families needing our support”.
She said her mum inspires her, as she is “a real champion of people” who has been “a voice for others and an advocate for positive change”.
She told the magazine: “I am proud of both of my boys. Isaac has coped incredibly well after losing his brother and continues to be such a rock for us.
“Equally, I feel blessed to walk hand in hand with my angel son, Reuben, every day, delivering his legacy.”
And her tip to midlife women was to embrace ageing, saying: “It’s a gift that’s not afforded to some, so embrace every new day and be thankful for it.”
When asked about what her superpower would be, she said ‘healing’, commenting: “Many of our families say our retreat holds beautiful healing energy, so this is also Reuben’s superpower coming through.”
Nicola is pictured at the retreat by the ‘Lego Wall’, made with Reuben’s favourite Duplo blocks and his brother, Isaac’s, favourite Lego bricks.