Mother asks for help to find ring containing daughter’s ashes

A Somerset mother is appealing for help after losing a ring containing her daughter’s ashes.

Tanya Russell, a grief counsellor based in Cheddar, posted the appeal on social media when she realised the ring was missing.

Her daughter, Johdi, died in 2017 from sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

Mrs Russel said: “It’s similar to losing a loved one as it was part of her… I feel physically sick, my head feels like cotton wool.”

“Johdi was amazing, she was so funny,” Mrs Russell said.

“She was a beautiful girl and one of those people who are quite happy to take the mickey out of herself.”

Mrs Russell trained as a trauma informed psychotherapist after Johdi’s death and began raising awareness about SUDEP.

“I didn’t even know Johdi was at risk because it’s not something that was spoken about, hence I do a lot of fundraising so people are aware of what it is.

“We didn’t have a clue,” she said.

Mrs Russell also holds an annual charity ball in memory of her daughter to raise money for epilepsy awareness.

The Purple Ball is held on the pier in Weston-super-Mare in February.

Mrs Russell said: “This ring was a part of Johdi, it is so precious and can never lose it’s beauty.

“Whilst I’m counselling it helps to keep me grounded, so to not have it there is a very odd feeling.”

She recalled the first day she received the ring:

“I was so excited, to have a piece of her with me brings me so much comfort.”

Her youngest daughter, Aimie, lent Mrs Russell her ring to support her.

Mrs Russell’s Facebook appeal received many shares and she is hoping that someone will be able to locate the missing ring.