PEOPLE have until Saturday to help a Chard author be crowned with a national award.

Julz Scott was inspired to start writing after her five-week-old baby tragically died.

She has since turned her hand to writing a blog and publishing a book.

Julz said: "Voting closes this Saturday. To win the award would be amazing, but to get people talking about baby loss, and to smash the taboo would be perfect.

"I'm hoping the award will help make people aware of what Chard baby loss group Melody's Voices has to offer. No one should ever feel alone."

Julz Scott began writing when she was pregnant and when her daughter Melody was born prematurely at 26 weeks, writing was to help her progress into the neonatal journey, which was anticipated to be 100 days.

Except it only lasted 35, and changed to a journey of child bereavement.

Mrs Scott said: “I found writing an easier outlet, especially when the support offered to me thinned out. Here began our grief journey, and eventually led on to my next pregnancy.

“Through writing my book, I knew our experience with grief wouldn’t be stopping with a new baby, so I turned to blogging too. It became a way of saying things out loud, particularly if I was having a bad day.”

Now, Mrs Scott has been shortlisted for The Butterfly Awards 2016 in the category of author/blogger after writing two blogs, Melody and Me and Write Like Tomorrow Doesn’t Exist, and her newly published book, Mayflower’s Rainbow.

The Butterfly Awards, in their fourth year, celebrate those who work around bereavement and honouring parents who have experienced the loss of a baby.

The event aims to celebrate survivors and champions of baby loss.

District councillor Amanda Broom, who works part-time in Chard Bookshop which is selling the book, said: “Julz’s way of coping with her own family tragedy has led to something quite incredible, raw emotion encapsulated in not just a book, but blogs and now a support group.

“It started as a way to help Julz cope, but now is there to help others too. I am really pleased that Chard Bookshop is stocking Mayflower’s Rainbow, and we are happy to help support such valuable local support networks like these in our community. Spreading the word about the support available for families in this awful situation is critical.”

Julz also runs a pregnancy and infant loss support group in Chard, named Melody’s Voices in memory of her daughter.

The support group is held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the grounds of St Mary’s Church.

Julz Scott publishes on writeliketomorrowdoesntexist.blogspot.co.uk and mellybellyandme.blogspot.co.uk.