A Bexley couple who have been devastated by miscarriages are walking 21 miles to channel their grief.

People across South London and Kent are being asked to support Natalie Mitchell and Sam Wainwright, who are taking on a challenge this July to help support people affected by pregnancy loss.

Natalie, a scriptwriter for EastEnders, recently examined the impact of miscarriage and endometriosis themselves through the character of Ruby Allen.

She has signed up for the Miscarriage Association’s Miles That Matter 21 with her partner Sam, a construction engineer.

The month-long initiative seeks to raise funds to continue the charity’s work in providing vital support and information.

Natalie has recently experienced her second missed miscarriage in six months, following three and a half years of challenging fertility treatment.

She said: “At the age of twelve I was diagnosed with endometriosis. After hundreds of medical procedures including six excision surgeries, we always knew it would be difficult for us to get pregnant.

“What we didn’t realise is that it would also be difficult to stay pregnant. This second miscarriage marks the end of our fertility journey and we’re completely devastated but wanted to find a positive way to channel our grief.

An estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage – with around 21,000 pregnancies expected to be lost in July alone.

To raise awareness of this reality, the Miscarriage Association is asking people to complete an activity associated with the number 21.

Natalie and Sam have chosen to walk 21 miles along the Thames Path, starting at London Bridge and ending at Erith in several legs across July.

The Miscarriage Association is a UK-wide charity that offers support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy.

Natalie added: “Accessing support has been difficult, and I found The Miscarriage Association a vital resource for helping with what we’re going through. We’re walking to raise awareness and hopefully open up discussion, so other couples going through what we are feel more confident sharing their experiences and accessing support. It is in silence that shame exists, and no one should feel ashamed about pregnancy loss or infertility.”

The charity provides a helpline to give one-to-one support as well as online resources which help thousands of people every year to get through the emotional and physical distress of pregnancy loss.

In many cases it also goes on to help couples with managing the anxiety of pregnancy after loss.

To support Natalie and Sam please visit their fundraising page here.