A GRAYS mum has won a national award honouring inspirational mums.

Ola Adegbenro, a 34-year-old mother-of-two, and founder of Colourful Beginnings, has won Tommy’s Inspirational Mum award, which recognises a mum who has gone through a difficult pregnancy journey and made it through with bravery and courage.

Colourful Beginnings was launched in November 2016, to support families with premature and sick babies on the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), after Ola’s experiences with her own daughters.

Testimony and Deborah were born at 23 weeks and 29 weeks respectively, and spent extensive time in specialised units and hospitals.

During her first pregnancy, Ola started bleeding and had complications at 21 weeks and was rushed to hospital to be told she was 4cm dilated.

A cervical stitch kept baby Testimony in utero until 25 weeks when she was born.

Ola said: “We were told so many times not to have any hope.”

“The week after, we got the dreaded phone call to say they needed to switch the machines off, she wasn’t doing well, and we need to let her go. One of the doctors said, ‘if Testimony continues to fight, why don’t we fight with her, until she fights no more.’”

Testimony was discharged in July 2016 and is now a happy and well toddler.

Ola said: “Colourful Beginnings’ entire purpose is to bring love, hope and support to families in NICU and beyond, as we know the journey does not end after discharge from NICU.”

Success stories are shared on @colourfulbeginnings to bring hope and assurance, but also share stories of babies who have died, to let these parents know they are not alone.

These stories are also shared to raise as much awareness as possible of premature birth.

Ola added: “I am fulfilled. It made me realise, it will be worth it even if I can help just one person so they don’t have to go through what I went through.”

The Tommy’s Awards celebrate the incredible supporters, families and healthcare professionals who have come together to help families.