Fern and Ryan Steele

Hello

Our names are Fern and Ryan Steele, we are the CEO/Founders of Harlee’s Angels. Our charity came about when our eldest child Harlee passed away suddenly in June 2020.

We would like to tell you a little bit about ourselves. I am a qualified nursery practitioner but after Harlee’s passing, I took a break from this profession. I am now a full-time housewife looking after Harlee’s little brother and sister, Louie aged 10 and Elsie-Maè aged 6. We also have a very loving Dogue De Bordeaux that we had always intended to have, but because of Covid this got put on hold. When we finally got him, we named him Zeus as that is what Harlee said he would have called his dog.

I also care for Harlee’s great grandparents who live with us, they are both very elderly and keep me busy.

Ryan is employed in the docks as a Port Operative working shift pattern. He was lucky enough to be able to take 6 months off work, which was definitely much needed after Harlee’s death.

After Harlee passed away we realised that we were lucky to have the support of family and friends to take time off work and we think it is very important to be able to do this without the unnecessary financial worries, but we understand for families on low income, and only being entitled to statutory bereavement leave, it could be impossible to take that long off work, so we are hoping that Harlee’s Angels will be able to help towards supporting families, so that they are able to take the time they need to grieve.

Harlee was my first-born baby and the one who gave me the title mummy, I will be forever grateful for that.  Every day is so painful, and I miss Harlee so much but by talking about him and sharing our story helps the painful days by keeping his Legacy alive. 

A message from Ryan; Harlee’s passing is so painful, as the amount of time we used to spend together going to watch football (the saints) even though we still joke now with family and friends he was really a Man City fan. I miss our talks about football or gaming or times he would come out with me to go see all my mates who always say you was “your dads right hand man”. 

We are hoping our charity is successful in helping families that are unfortunate to experience the loss of a child as we have.

Trustees

Chris Hamilton

Hi everyone,  

I'm Chris, one of the trustees for Harlee's Angels 😊.  

I'm the proud uncle to Harlee! Fern’s brother and Ryan's brother-in-law, although I use the term in-law lightly, we are much more like brothers sharing a very close bond and being my best man at my wedding. Me and Fern are very close only having the one sister and no other siblings growing up we have such a tight relationship; she means the world to me and is an absolute amazing auntie to my kids. 

When Ryan called me that dreadful morning, I knew they both needed their brother, and I went straight to them and spent the week by their side with Harlee in the hospital.  

The pain I felt watching my little sister, best mate, and little Louie and princess Elsie-Maè worlds fall apart when we had to say goodbye to our Harlee tore my heart into pieces. Not only did I lose my little dude I knew I wouldn't be able to take the horrific pain away from the people I love so dearly.  

Harlee reminded me of myself so much weather it was watching him run around in his little batman suit when he was tiny, just as I did when I was a kid or when he was getting to the age of wanting all the latest trainers as we both shared that same love for them, always showing me what ones he wanted, the lad had good taste! Music was also something we shared in common always asking if I had heard a new track and if I hadn’t, he would be sure to make me listen to it! We always talked about him coming to work for me when he was older and being my apprentice electrician and all the laughs we were going to have along the way. These times with him I will cherish for ever!  

I live with my wife Lisa and kids and run a small electrical business carrying out all types of electrical work within the domestic industry. 

Lisa was my rock though the difficult time of losing Harlee so I could be the rock for Fern, Ryan, Louie and Elsie-Maè they needed. 

I’m extremely proud of Fern and Ryan, using their loss and pain to start up an amazing charity to help others. So, when they asked me to be a trustee for Harlee's Angles I jumped at the chance, telling them they didn't have to ask me just tell me where sign.  

It’s an absolute privilege to be a part of something so special, helping Harlee’s legacy live on and be able to help other family's get through the same pain we all had to endure.  Whether that's help with the financial burden or compassion and support through the time of such great sadness of losing a child. 

As a trustee for Harlee's Angels, I hope to offer first-hand experience to families in similar tragic situations, together with my compassion and empathy that I will bring to Harlee's Angels I will also strive to make it the successful charity it deserves to be for our Harlee. As the kind and caring little dude he was I know it would be his wishes.

Matt Meadus

Hi, I'm Matt Meadus and I'm part of the Trustee team at Harlee's Angels. 

I’m very lucky to call Fern and Ryan Family. 

My cousin Ryan and I are more like brothers, so you can imagine how heart-breaking to see the pain the whole family endured when we lost our little Legend Harlee. 

I have lots of different strings to my bow, but I'm probably best known for my love of coaching and working in football for Hampshire FA, so when Harlee told me he wanted to play I was over the moon, and I'll never ever forget the smile on his face every time he kicked a ball. 

I’m extremely happy to see both Louie and Elsie-Maè follow in Harlee’s footsteps and follow our love in football. 

I’m still unsure who was happier the kids getting new boots or me buying them.  

I have a grown-up son (Jack) who has had a love for playing football since he was really young and it’s been great coaching him into adult football, as well as a teenage son (Tom), who has recently become a qualified referee and has also played at a high level and they, along with my wife (Keira) have been my rocks whilst we all grieve as a family. 

Becoming a Trustee of Harlee's Angels was one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make! 

I'm so incredibly proud of Ryan and Fern, in a time when they could have easily be swallowed by sadness, they've chosen to turn their experience into something positive for families who experience the death of a child under 17.  

I’m hoping that I will bring an honest, real world perspective and add that to my strong management experience this will encapsulate a skill set required to give Harlee’s Angels a trustee that will help drive the success of this amazing charity.  

I'm excited to help turn Harlee's memory into a legacy.