A SPECIAL lantern walk took place in Warrington last month for families to honour and remember their babies.

The commemorative walk took place at Walton Hall and Gardens, and it was coordinated by Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals’ butterfly team – a dedicated bereavement team that support families who have experienced pregnancy and baby loss.

The walk was held on October 9 during Baby Loss Awareness Week which is now in its 22nd year.

The week provides an opportunity for anyone affected by baby loss to share their experiences and connect as a community.

Sarah Nuttie, consultant midwife, said: “Pregnancy and baby loss sadly affects lots of families but is still a topic that many find extremely difficult to talk about.

“Bereavement support plays a big part in helping families navigating their journey, and our butterfly team do all they can to support families during those incredibly sad and difficult times.

“This event demonstrated just how important providing a safe and supportive space for anyone who has experienced baby loss, at any time, is and it was wonderful to see so many joining together.”

Attendees were invited to decorate a pebble in memory of a special baby and walk together by lantern light to lay the pebbles in the Walton Lea Crematorium baby garden. The lanterns were generously donated by local groups to support the event.

Hannah Parker, specialist midwife for bereavement, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people share their experiences in a space filled with love and emotion.

“The feedback we have received from those who joined us has been overwhelmingly positive and I am so proud of the team, and everyone involved in organising this special evening.”

To mark the end of Baby Loss Awareness week, the trust’s butterfly team and chaplaincy team hosted the annual Wave of Light Remembrance Service at St Elphin’s Church.

The service invited families to light a candle for their baby and to share a time of reflection through readings, poems, music and prayers. Families were invited to share the name of their baby for inclusion in a special reading to remember their babies.

More than 80 people were in attendance, with many families who have received support from the butterfly team and chaplaincy team after experiencing pregnancy or baby loss, along with members of the local community who welcomed the opportunity to remember their lost babies.

If you have been affected by pregnancy and baby loss at any time, please visit babyloss-awareness.org.