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 Links

Love Grace Charity: ⁠https://www.lovegrace.co.uk⁠

Support the Love Grace appeal: ⁠https://www.lovegrace.co.uk/donate⁠

Follow Wes on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/weslinden⁠

Follow Wes on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslinden⁠

Never miss an episode: ⁠https://www.weslinden.com/podcast⁠

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome to The Resilience Project
02:49 Who Grace was and why she was so special
03:50 Favourite childhood memories of Grace
04:53 Learning of Grace’s disappearance and what followed
07:04 Delivering the victim impact statement
08:21 Campaigning to change the “rough sex” defence
10:50 Losing her husband David and navigating compounded grief
13:14 You cannot change circumstances, only how you respond
15:08 The power of family, friendship and global support
16:55 Why the world is not as dark as social media suggests
18:15 The global impact of Grace’s story and the vigils
19:47 Founding the Love Grace charity with Hannah
22:38 The growing reach and impact of Love Grace
23:52 Future plans for the charity
25:08 How listeners can support Love Grace
26:59 Receiving an OBE from Prince William
27:48 Climbing Kilimanjaro
29:38 What the mountains taught about resilience
31:56 One foot in front of the other
32:47 Turning grief into action and rebuilding purpose
34:55 Balancing self-care with honouring Grace
36:10 How physical training supports mental health
37:13 Advice for those feeling overwhelmed
37:30 Mindsets that keep you moving forward
39:57 How Grace should be remembered
41:11 Choosing kindness in everyday life
43:16 The meaning behind the climbs and fundraising
44:29 The difference each of us can make
45:51 Advice for anyone who feels stuck
47:14 What resilience truly means
47:49 Final reflections
48:38 Closing