About - You've Got A Friend In Us

What is SUDC?

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is the unexpected death of a child over 12 months of age that remains unexplained even after a full medical investigation. While rare, it can affect families suddenly and often without answers.

At You’ve Got A Friend In Us, we are committed to raising public awareness so more people understand SUDC and its impact on families across Ireland.

We stand with families during their most challenging times, offering support, guidance, and a compassionate community.

Every story matters. Together, we can ensure families are never alone and continue making progress toward a safer, brighter future for children.

Behind every statistic is a child loved deeply and missed beyond words — and that’s where our story begins.

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Our Story:

In 2022, the Mitten and Doran families faced the unthinkable: the sudden loss of their young children
· Brandon Mitten was just 15 months old when, Laura (Mammy) and Ciaran (Daddy) lost him.
· Ada Maria was just 19 months old when Laura (Mammy) & Aaron (Daddy) lost her.
Both children were taken by Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC), leaving their families heartbroken and searching for answers.

Confronted with grief and the lack of support available in Ireland, these families came together with a shared purpose: to ensure that no parent or family would have to navigate this journey alone.

Their vision grew into You’ve Got A Friend In Us – a charity dedicated to providing guidance, community, and compassion. We offer counseling, peer support, and resources to help families through their darkest moments. We also work toward building partnerships with hospitals, social workers, and other organizations to create a complete support network.

From awareness to care, our story is one of hope, resilience, and the power of families coming together to make a difference.

How We Make a Difference

At You’ve Got A Friend In Us, our approach combines compassion, knowledge, and community. We listen to families, work alongside professionals, and create pathways for understanding and action. Every initiative we undertake – from raising awareness to supporting research – is designed to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and the families affected by SUDC.

Trusted Guidance

Passionate people

Collaborative Action

Lasting Support

Learn More

Support

Standing with families through their most challenging moments.

Research

Driving studies that aim to prevent future childhood tragedies.

Awareness

Raising understanding of SUDC so no family faces it alone.

Community

Connecting families, professionals, and supporters to provide care and guidance.

Meet Our Founders

You’ve Got A Friend In Us was founded by families and friends united by a shared purpose: to bring hope, understanding, and support to families affected by SUDC. Guided by compassion and dedication, our founders continue to shape the charity’s work and community.

Laura Doran

Trustee Chairperson

After losing her daughter, Ada Maria in October of 2022, Laura co-founded the charity to provide comfort, guidance, and a safe space for families in their most difficult times.

Laura Mitten

Trustee

Laura lost her son, Brandon, at 15 months. Motivated by love and hope, she co-founded You’ve Got A Friend In Us to create a supportive community for families navigating the pain of SUDC.

Julie Callery

Trustee

Julie supported the families throughout the charity’s setup. A yoga instructor and compassionate guide, she brings calm, encouragement, and care to the team and community.

Voices of Families

We never imagined we would face something like this, and the days felt impossibly heavy. You’ve Got A Friend In Us was there to listen, offer guidance, and provide support in ways we couldn’t have found anywhere else. Their care helped us navigate our grief and begin to feel a little hope again.

– Example Testimonial

Hope, support, and understanding for every family.

Join our compassionate community and help make a meaningful difference in the lives of families affected by SUDC.

Get Involved