HISTORIC landmarks in Evesham and Pershore will be bathed in pink and blue lighting to show support for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022.
Evesham’s Bell Tower and Pershore Abbey will be shining a light on the emotive week which begins on Sunday (October 9) and runs until next Saturday (October 15).
Vale charity Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC) has collaborated with Wychavon District Council and the vicar of Pershore Abbey to have the landmarks lit up for this special week, now in its 20th year.
APEC is a devoted supporter of Baby Loss Awareness Week, primarily because pre-eclampsia causes the deaths of 1,200 babies and up to 10 mothers in the UK every year.
It’s a cause close to home for the charity’s office administrator Abbie Harris who was diagnosed with it in 2017 and heartbreakingly lost her baby son Jude.
“It (Baby Loss Awareness Week) is a week close to our hearts and an opportunity for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, support each other and remember our much-loved and missed babies,” she said.
Campaigners hope the week will help to raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss; the importance bereavement support plays and of the vital work needed to improve pregnancy outcomes and to save babies’ lives.
Marcus Green, CEO of Action on Pre-eclampsia said: “We hope turning these iconic local landmarks pink and blue will spark conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies and to know that they are important and remembered.”
All of the buildings and landmarks turning pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022 will be featured on an interactive map and on the official Baby Loss Awareness Facebook page.
Residents are invited to share their photos of the illuminated Evesham Bell Tower and Pershore Abbey on social media and include the hashtag #BLAW and #APEC to reach as many people as possible.
The week will come to an emotional end with the ‘Wave of Light’ when people across the world light a candle at 7pm local time on October 15 and leave it burning to remember all the babies who died too soon.
Visit www.babyloss-awareness.org or www.apec.org.uk for more.
