Two poignant events are taking place this Sunday, 15 October, to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week and provide support to families who have experienced the heartache of losing a baby.
Families are invited to take part in the ceremonies where they can light a candle and remember their baby. There is also an opportunity for parents to have their child’s name read out as part of the commemoration.
The first event is a Service of Light which will take place from 2pm at Wesley Methodist Hall, Blackburn.
Later in the day, a Wave of Light event will take place at 6.45pm at Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre, at Burnley General Hospital.
The events mark the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which aims to provide solace and support to anyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss.
A key part of the week’s activities is when bereaved families around the world light a candle of remembrance and create a continuous chain of light and love.
Bereavement midwife at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, Nicola Galloway, said: “Losing a baby is a devastating and unimaginable experience and these events are a small way we can provide comfort and hope and ensure people know they are not alone.
“The services bring together families to remember all the much-loved babies who sadly died too soon and help raise awareness of the thousands of families affected by loss each year.
“Candles will burn throughout the service in memory of our little ones who lit up our lives for such a short time.”
If you are unable to attend the services but would like a candle lit in remembrance of your child or you would like your baby’s name read out as part of the services, please email nicola.galloway@elht.nhs.uk before midday on Saturday, 14 October.
A virtual service will also be published on the Trust’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ELHT.NHS