The event will be hosted by the Forever Cherished Maternity Bereavement Service and led by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust to support those who have faced baby loss.
Its Walk of Light will be held as part of the week, which runs from Wednesday October 9 to Tuesday October 15.
The procession will gather at the foot of Penshaw Monument at 4.45pm on Monday October 14 for a 5pm start. The event, which is now in its third year, is expected to last around 90 minutes.
Charlotte Mutton is a Specialist Bereavement Lead Midwife, Subsequent Pregnancy Midwife, Pregnancy Loss Bereavement Counsellor and a Bereavement Trainer and Educator at the Trust.
She said: “We’re hosting this walk so we can come together to reflect upon and remember all of the babies who are sadly no longer with us. We know people can find it helpful to be together and this is also a time where they can have a moment to themselves in that shared moment.
“We’re inviting people to bring something with them to light their way to the top of the monument. We’ll also have a small number of lanterns available to use too.
“The walk to the top of the monument will be slow in pace. There will be music and readings as part of a reflection service at the summit and a few moments of pause to remember all babies and children who are no longer with us.
“We’ll then head back to the bottom of the monument, again without any rush to give people time to think or chat to each other. At the bottom of the hill, anyone taking part will have the chance to write their loved one’s name on a heart to hang on our memory tree.”
Christie Woods, a Bereavement Support Worker at the Trust, has played a vital role in organising the upcoming Walk of Light event as part of the Forever Cherished team.
Charlotte would like to thank Christie Wood and Jamie Renilson for their support within the services and in running the event.
There will be refreshments available at the event and the team will also hold a collection to support its Forever Cherished fund.
More details about the support available to those who have faced a loss through pregnancy can visit the Trust’s Maternity Bereavement Service page on its website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk/services/maternity-new/maternal-mental-health-birth-reflection-and-bereavement-services/bereavement-services
Photo: Charlotte Mutton left specialist bereavement lead midwife and Jamie Renilson midwife right
