East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is to host two poignant events to commemorate Baby Loss Awareness Week. 

The special ceremonies invite families to light a candle in remembrance of their baby and participate in a moment of reflection. 

There will also be an opportunity for parents to have their baby’s name read out during the commemoration, both virtually and in person, with names also included in the service booklet.

The first event, a Service of Light, will take place at 2pm on Sunday, October 13, at Wesley Hall Methodist Church in Blackburn. 

Families are encouraged to come together for this heartfelt service of remembrance.

On Tuesday, October 15, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will host a Wave of Light event at the courtyard of the Lancashire Women’s and Newborn Centre. 

This event invites bereaved families from around the area to light a candle at 7pm in memory of babies who touched our lives all too briefly.

Specialist bereavement midwife, Nicola Galloway, said: “Losing a baby is a devastating and unimaginable experience.

"These events provide a small yet meaningful way to offer comfort and hope, helping families understand they are not alone. 

"The services bring people together to remember all the much-loved babies who sadly died too soon and raise awareness of the thousands of families impacted by loss each year. 

"Candles will burn throughout the service, lighting the way in memory of our little ones who brought so much joy in such a short time.”

This year’s event at Lancashire Womens and Newborn Centre will feature the unveiling of the Tree of Life – a four-metre high sculpture donated by ELHT&Me’s partner charity, Friends of Serenity.

The sculpture will reside in the courtyard, offering families a peaceful space to reflect and remember their babies.

To attend the Trust’s Wave of Light event on Tuesday 15 October, families are asked to register for a free ticket on the ELHT website.

This will help ELHT&Me, the Trust’s charity, provide candles of remembrance and refreshments for the end-of-service reflection.

Attendees can also include their baby’s name in the service booklet and virtual service, which will be published on ELHT&Me’s Facebook page.