*First published at Kent Buzz*
Abigail’s Footsteps, a charity that provides support to bereaved families after baby loss, have partnered with Rochester Cathedral for a ‘Wave of Light’ on 15th October.
The charity is inviting people to join them and other families across the world by lighting a candle to remember all babies that have died too soon.
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022 began on October 9, celebrating the 20th year of the week in the UK. The week exists for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together to remember and commemorate their much loved and missed babies.
Parents Jo and David Ward founded the charity in 2010 following the death of their daughter Abigail, who was stillborn at 41 weeks gestation.
David Ward said: “I hope that by raising awareness through Abigail’s Footsteps of the need for better care for bereaved parents we will spare others the trauma we went through.
“Recently I built a climbing frame for my children and when my wife Jo came outside, she started crying because Abigail is never going to use it. I don’t think people understand the pain doesn’t go away.”
14 babies are either stillborn or die a neonatal death every single day in the United Kingdom. Despite this shocking statistic, many hospitals remain ill prepared to deal with these events. Staff often receive little or no bereavement training.
The charity began by making improvements at Medway Maritime Hospital where Abigail was born, with a suite for bereaved parents completed in 2016.
One of the charities most proud achievements is the creation of the ‘Abi Cold Cot’, a refrigerated cot that allows parents to spend more time with their deceased baby than would otherwise be possible – produced by Abigail’s Footsteps in partnership with The Bond Group.
Jo Ward said: “Abigail was born on 29th April 2009. David and I both got to hold her, and I will cherish those moments forever. Abigail was the most beautiful little girl and all I could think was why us?”
The ‘Wave of Light’ event will take place on Saturday 15th October at 19:00 in Rochester Cathedral.