Bereaved families will have a chance to remember their missed babies.

Thursday, October 9, marks the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Led by the charity Sands, who works to save babies' lives and support bereaved families, the week is a time for everyone in the baby loss community to come together.

Represented by its blue and pink ribbon logo, the week sees communities across the UK create ribbon displays in memory of lost loved ones.

Here in Macclesfield, the display at St Michael's Church has been organised by local business owner and Sands supporter, Louise Bullock.

Louise said: "The loss of a baby or pregnancy is heartbreaking; we carry their loss with us always, and this is happening to families across the UK every day.

"This Baby Loss Awareness Week, I am pleased to have the opportunity to return to St Michael's for the third year, creating a special display to remember all the babies lost, whether recently or long ago. 

"During last year's display many families took the opportunity to remember their loved ones.

"I hope the display raises awareness and breaks the silence surrounding baby and pregnancy loss, it is impacting so many people in our community, I hope it starts conversations."

The ribbon display will be located by the entrance gate to St Michael's Church (Credit: Nub News)

 Ribbons displaying the names of babies being remembered will be added to the fence to the right of the entrance gates to St Michael's Church in Market Place for all to see from Thursday and will remain in place until the following Wednesday, October 15. 


Families are invited to bring a ribbon of any colour, write their baby's name if they wish and add it to the display.

Ribbons can be brought from home or you can collect one from St Michael's foyer, where pens will also be provided.

If you would like to add a ribbon to the display but are unable to do so in person, please message Louise directly ([email protected]) and she will arrange for your loved one's name to be added to a ribbon and included.

Louise said: "All money raised from the display will go to Sands, so they can continue to support families and reduce baby deaths, by investing in research and championing better maternity care."