Turning Grief Into Change After Grace’s Tinder Murder with Gillian Millane OBE on The Resilience Project podcast, hosted by Wes Linden

In this deeply moving episode of The Resilience Project, Wes Linden speaks with Gillian Millane OBE, a mother, campaigner, and extraordinary woman whose life was torn apart when her daughter Grace never came home.In December 2018, Grace Millane, a bright and adventurous 22-year-old, was murdered while travelling in New Zealand by a man she met on Tinder. The case shocked the world and exposed deeply uncomfortable truths about violence against women and the narratives too often used to excuse it.Rather than allowing grief to consume her, Gillian chose to turn devastating loss into purpose. Her victim impact statement was seen across the world. She went on to campaign tirelessly to help end the so-called 'rough sex' defence in UK courts, contributing to landmark legal change. Alongside Grace’s cousin Hannah, she co-founded Love Grace, a charity that has now supported tens of thousands of women escaping abuse across multiple countries.Gillian also reflects on losing her husband David, receiving an OBE from Prince William, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking to Everest Base Camp, and what resilience truly means when life delivers its harshest blows.An amazing way to start Season 2, this is a powerful conversation about grief, justice, kindness, courage, and what it really takes to keep going.🔗 Useful LinksLove Grace Charity: ⁠https://www.lovegrace.co.uk⁠Support the Love Grace appeal: ⁠https://www.lovegrace.co.uk/donate⁠Follow Wes on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/weslinden⁠Follow Wes on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslinden⁠Never miss an episode: ⁠https://www.weslinden.com/podcast⁠⏱️ Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome to The Resilience Project02:49 Who Grace was and why she was so special03:50 Favourite childhood memories of Grace04:53 Learning of Grace’s disappearance and what followed07:04 Delivering the victim impact statement08:21 Campaigning to change the “rough sex” defence10:50 Losing her husband David and navigating compounded grief13:14 You cannot change circumstances, only how you respond15:08 The power of family, friendship and global support16:55 Why the world is not as dark as social media suggests18:15 The global impact of Grace’s story and the vigils19:47 Founding the Love Grace charity with Hannah22:38 The growing reach and impact of Love Grace23:52 Future plans for the charity25:08 How listeners can support Love Grace26:59 Receiving an OBE from Prince William27:48 Climbing Kilimanjaro29:38 What the mountains taught about resilience31:56 One foot in front of the other32:47 Turning grief into action and rebuilding purpose34:55 Balancing self-care with honouring Grace36:10 How physical training supports mental health37:13 Advice for those feeling overwhelmed37:30 Mindsets that keep you moving forward39:57 How Grace should be remembered41:11 Choosing kindness in everyday life43:16 The meaning behind the climbs and fundraising44:29 The difference each of us can make45:51 Advice for anyone who feels stuck47:14 What resilience truly means47:49 Final reflections48:38 Closing