Published on: 25 September 2023
Families who have experienced the loss of a baby or child are being invited to gather together at a dusk vigil.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is organising the Forever Cherished Walk of Light.
It will be held on Tuesday, October 10, at Penshaw Monument, next to Herrington County Park.
It will offer people the chance to reflect on their loss and is being held as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from Monday, October 9.
The event is being put together as part of the Forever Cherished Service. This is run by the Trust and cares for those who have experienced baby loss.
People are welcome to gather at the bottom of the hill ready to set off to its summit at 5pm.
They will be able to collect a lantern or take along their own to use as part of the slow procession to the monument.
The walk will be led by Lead Bereavement Midwife Charlotte Mutton, who has been specially trained to support families who have experienced baby loss.
Charlotte Mutton, STSFT's Specialist Bereavement Lead Midwife, will lead the Walk of Light.
There will be music and readings during the reflection service.
On the return to the foot of the hill, people will be able to add their baby’s name onto a wooden heart.
This will then be hung on a tree and put on display in the maternity unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Charlotte said:
"This will be a real opportunity to bring people together to share and reflect on the loss of their baby or child.
"It’s really about giving people that chance to have a shared space after they’ve had that experience and know that they are still being supported by our service over the years."
Refreshments will be available at the event, which is expected to come to a close around 6.30pm.
Donations will also be collected for the Forever Cherished service to help fund its future work.
More details about the Forever Cherished Service and other support available to those who have lost a baby can be found by clicking here.
The postcode for the county park is DH4 7EL.
More about Baby Loss Awareness Week can be found via https://babyloss-awareness.org/
