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14
Oct
Candles to be lit in Harrogate and Ripon tomorrow for lost babies
People who have experienced the loss of a baby are being invited to take part in an event at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate tomorrow (October 15).
Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from October 9 to 15, is an annual campaign to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss and to support those affected.
Reflect, a pregnancy loss support charity, will be holding a Light a Candle event at St Peter’s Church between 12.30pm and 2pm.
Anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss is invited to attend and light a candle to remember those gone too soon.
Baby Loss Awareness Week, which is now in its 22nd year, is observed internationally and culminates with candle-lighting events tomorrow.
A group will gather in the market square in Ripon at 7pm to light candles.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust will also join the Wave of Light at 7pm by lighting up the front of Harrogate District Hospital.
St Peter's Church, Harrogate
Reflect, which has been providing free support in Harrogate for 10 years, was first established in York in 2007.
Tanya Allen, Reflect general manager, said:
The loss of a baby can cause many different emotions such as sadness, shock, anger, guilt, emptiness, anxiety or panic. Everyone grieves differently which is why at Reflect, we provide free one-to-one support for anyone in North Yorkshire affected by pregnancy or baby loss from any cause.
Clea Harmer, chief executive of the charity Sands and chair of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, said:
Following their loss, families find themselves on a new path they never expected to be on. Together, we care for ourselves and each other as part of a community of people affected by all forms of pregnancy and baby loss.
I hope that Reflect’s Light a Candle event will help reassure anyone who finds themselves navigating this journey, whether recently bereaved or longer ago, that there is a community that understands and is here for you, whatever you need – be it guidance, shared stories or simply a listening ear to help and offer comfort. You are not alone.
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