I don’t regularly post about a charity, the reason being that there are so many good causes out there, how can you choose to “plug” one over another? This story however touched me on a personal level and as such I’d ask you to please read through if nothing else.
Claire Willis, of Snugbaby, is holding a charity raffle to raise money for SANDS, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity, in memory of Mia, a beautiful baby girl, who was sadly born asleep on 26th March 2011. Claire’s cousin had a completely normal pregnancy, until she and her husband were given the devastating news that their baby girl had died just a few days before her due date, and as yet have been given no reason for their loss.
Whilst at hospital they were informed of SANDS, a national charity established by bereaved parents in 1981. SANDS rely completely on donations; there is no government funding. They have 3 core aims, to:
– Support anyone affected by the death of a baby
– To work in partnership with health professionals to improve the quality of care and services offered to bereaved families
– To promote research and changes in practice that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.
Mia’s parents are aiming to raise £10,000 to donate to SANDS, and Claire would really like to be able to do something to help them to achieve their target. The raffle is being held at Claire’s personal blog, and tickets are available to buy now, with the draw taking place on Friday 17th June.
If you are unable to buy tickets, please help to to spread the word (by tweeting, blogging, sharing on Facebook or telling your friends) so that together we can help to support SANDS, and those affected by the loss of a baby.
Back in 2005 we miscarried. It was an awful, heartbreaking experience that I will never forget. How anyone can go full term and be ready to welcome their child into the world and then find that it has gone horribly wrong, and still keep going is beyond me. The work that SANDS do is invaluable in these situations to many grieving parents. If you can support them, please do.
Nicki x
