Fort Regent will be illuminated in pink and blue lights next week, 9th to 15th October, to show Jersey’s support for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022.
The annual awareness week, now in its 20th year, is an opportunity for bereaved parents, families and friends, to commemorate babies’ lives and break the silence around pregnancy and baby loss.
Local baby loss and safer pregnancy charity Philip’s Footprints are a member of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, a group of over 130 UK charities working together to raise awareness of baby loss but also improve pregnancy outcomes.
Jo Nash, Founder of Philip’s Footprints said: “We hope turning Fort Regent pink and blue will spark conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies and feel less isolated and alone in their grief.
“Whilst baby loss awareness week is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness, it is just that – one week. We hope those around a bereaved parent will be mindful that, for them, it’s not just a week it’s every day.”
Pregnancy loss, no matter how early, or the death of a baby is a tragedy that affects many people every year. It can be devastating for parents and families and it’s vital they get the bereavement support and care they need, for as long as they need it. To that end, in addition to their memory boxes Philip’s Footprints offer 121 peer support and a monthly support group and can signpost to other services.
As part of Baby Loss Awareness Week, the charity are holding their annual 10km Starlight Walk on Saturday 15th October. Walking from the Waterfront to St Aubins and back, the walk helps raise awareness and funds for the charity and allows families to walk in memory of babies and children who have died, should they wish to. All are welcome; the flashing torches provided are very popular with adults as well as children and there are medals for everyone finishing.
Baby Loss Awareness Week culminates on Saturday 15th October with the global ‘Wave of Light’. To participate, Philip’s Footprints invites you to simply light a candle at 7pm and leave it burning for at least 1 hour, joining families all around the world in remembering all babies that have died too soon. This can be done individually or in a group, at home or in a communal space. As it reaches 7pm in Jersey, you will be joining a global Wave of Light in memory of all the babies who lit up your lives for such a short time.
Those taking part in the Starlight Walk will also have the opportunity to ‘light’ a candle at the event.
Online registration for the walk can be found here
Photo credit: BAM Perspectives
