The founder of a non-profit organisation has spoken of how the group helps bereaved families who have lost their baby. 

Maggie's Stillbirth Legacy has been working with the Blackburn Rovers Community Trust for a decade.

This week it is Baby Loss Awareness Week and October marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Maggie's Stillbirth Legacy runs a monthly support session for grieving families at Ewood Park on the ground floor of the Darwen End Stand, where the trust’s offices are located.

The next sessions are scheduled for Thursday November 7, and Thursday December 5, starting at 7pm.

Sarah Bernasconi-Parsons set up Maggie's Stillbirth Legacy after she lost her daughter Maggie in June 2015. Sarah discovered after Maggie’s birth, not all families have access to cuddle cots, something she wanted to change.

Nine years later, Maggie's Stillbirth Legacy is now recognised as one of the leading charities in the UK to support bereaved families.

Sarah said: “We provide cuddle cots, cuddle blankets and memory boxes to hospitals throughout the UK.

“Maureen Bateson was our local councillor at the time and I approached her to say we really needed somewhere to run the group.

“She replied and said I know the perfect place, so I met with Rovers' trust CEO Gary Robinson and he wanted to help straight away.

“Blackburn Rovers Community Trust are amazing, they are so helpful and provide as much space as we need for the sessions.

“We have a big room for crafts, so bereaved parents and grandparents can meet and support one another.

“It is also about how we live through each day, because when you lose a child, your world changes completely. You have to go on what we call a new journey, and some days are really hard to navigate. 

“We also have a counsellor and therapist who come to the sessions with me to offer support, and it is vital we continue to offer the level of support that we do to families."

Sarah said when she first set up the group, she had two members but last month they welcomed 33 women.

She said: “With the awareness week and month, there has been so much on TV and on social media, so it is important we keep raising awareness. 

“God forbid, if anyone is ever put in this position, there are people out there to support you.

“Everyone is someone’s child so if we can help any parent going through this pain, we will do.”

To find out more about Maggie's Stillbirth Legacy you can email info@maggiesstillbirthlegacy.org.uk