Till Heike is a wonderful voice for bereaved parents, and a member of the Red Nose team. Supporting families who have experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, the death of a baby or child is what Till does daily – in honour of Claudia, who was stillborn.
About Till
Till has experienced profound loss, including miscarriages, and incredibly painful ectopic pregnancy and the stillbirth of her beautiful daughter Claudia. Her story is one of courage, compassion, and tireless advocacy for bereaved families in Perth and across Australia.
Losing her daughter, Claudia, was an incredibly impactful moment for Till. Speaking on the Sitting in the Space with Mary podcast, for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day 2025, she describes this grief as being:
“Like going down a river and you are following the stream, the current, and then all of a sudden, with no warning, you are hit by something from behind. It is so catastrophic, it changes everything. It changes the river. You can no longer go on this river.”
This powerful imagery captures the sudden, life-altering nature of loss. Yet even in her grief, Till found a way to channel her experiences into something meaningful for others. She is a compassionate, gentle voice in the bereavement community, sharing her story openly to help reduce stigma and support families navigating the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth, the death of a baby or child.
Early commemorative loss certificates for those who experienced a pregnancy loss
As an artist, Till was commissioned to create the artwork for early commemorative loss certificates for the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. Her creative work provides families with a tangible way to remember and honour their babies.
In addition to her advocacy and artistic work, Till has written a memoir, The Dovekeeper and the Death of a Child: A Memoir, published 11 February 2025. In The Dovekeeper, Till explores the unimaginable pain and profoundly life-changing experience of a parent coping with the death of their baby. Through a series of reflections and poetic works, she delves into the experience with raw emotion and an open heart. This book is a testament to the enduring love that transcends death, and a source of comfort and understanding for those who are themselves experiencing this heartbreak.
Support for families affected by pregnancy loss, stillbirth, the death of a baby or child in Perth
Till’s advocacy work in Perth and beyond is marked by sincerity, bravery, and a deep commitment to others. She encourages families to honour their babies, to speak their names, and to share their stories, helping them feel seen, supported, and understood. Her work is a reminder that even in grief, connection and love can create profound healing.
Amidst her advocacy and remembrance, life has also brought new joy. Till has since added to her family with the arrival of baby Elliot, embracing a new chapter while continuing to honour Claudia’s memory.
We are incredibly proud of Till, for her courage, her advocacy, and the compassion she brings to families across Australia. We are honoured to remember Claudia through Till’s work and to have Till as an integral part of our team.
Red Nose supports anyone affected by the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth, death of a baby or child. If you need immediate support reach out to our 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line on 1300 308 307.
Or find out more about our supports here: www.rednose.org.au/support
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