It is Baby Loss Awareness Week.

And a Macclesfield supporter of the stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands, is making a display related to the week, that you can now view in the town.

Local business owner and mum Louise Bullock, is giving bereaved families in Macclesfield the opportunity to come together once again this Baby Loss Awareness Week, starting today, from the October 9 to October 15.

Sands, the charity that leads Baby Loss Awareness Week, works to save babies' lives and support bereaved families.

According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2022, there were 1,019 child deaths (aged 1 to 15 years) and 2,349 infant deaths (aged under 1 year). (Image - Louise Bullock, Macclesfield)

The Week is a time for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, to remember much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.

This special week is represented by its blue and pink ribbon logo, this image has been the inspiration to create Ribbon Displays up and down the UK, in every community, inviting those who have experienced loss to come together and remember their babies.

Ribbons displaying the names of precious 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 the 9th October and will remain in place till the 15th.

Louise co-ordinated a similar display in Macclesfield, this time last year.

Sands has been going since 1976. (Image - Sands)

"We invite bereaved families to bring a ribbon of any colour, write your baby's name if you wish to and add this to our display," she said.

"This can be done at any point during the week. 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 and she will arrange for your loved one's name to be added to a ribbon and included.

Louise can be contacted via her business, Loola Loves, the gift shop on Chestergate, that recently relocated down the road.

Macclesfield: The ribbons will be displayed at St. Michael's Church on Market Place. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

The cause is one close to Louise's heart.

"The Macclesfield Ribbon Display would not be possible without the support of St Michaels Church for allowing us to hold our display on their grounds & the support of Macclesfield Maternity Voices Partnership," added Louise.

"The loss of a baby or pregnancy is heartbreaking; we carry their loss with us 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, 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.

From a lock of hair to teddy bears, a Sands memory box can help grieving families through losing a baby. (Image - @SandsUK)

"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.

"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."

More information about the display can be found on the display's Facebook event, and for anyone who needs the support of Sands you can find more information on their website.

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