Washing-line hopes to spark discussion on ‘taboo’ subject

The East Kent Sands Group launched their national campaign earlier this week at Ashford’s Memorial Gardens.

Sands is the national stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK that work to reduce baby deaths through promoting better maternity care and funding research.

They also provide a bereavement support service through their helpline and support groups across the UK.

Fifteen babies die each day in the UK shortly before, during or after birth and Sands is trying to raise awareness of this statistic, as well as trying to reduce the number of deaths, through their campaign.

A washing line with 15 baby grows hanging was put on display in the Memorial Gardens in Ashford town centre on Tuesday.

Dr Clea Harmer, is the chief executive of Sands, said: “The aim the campaign is to not only highlight the unacceptable fact that 15 babies die before, during and shortly after birth every day in the UK, but also to encourage the public to talk about baby death which is often a taboo subject.

“I hope that the washing lines, which will be seen in many prominent locations across the UK, will help provoke debate and discussion as to why do so many babies die and what can be done to reduce this number.

“We are determined to ensure that every bereaved parent gets the care and support they need and deserve.”

There is a Sands support group held in Ashford on the third Tuesday of every month.

Emma Oram, chair of East Kent Sands Group, said: “Most members of our group are bereaved parents so we know how devastating it is when a baby dies.

“We hope that by displaying the baby grows for the 15 in 1 campaign, it will spark conversations about baby death and the urgency to try and reduce the number of babies that die.”

For more information visit www.eastkentsands@gmail.com or call 07547 195791.

The Sands national campaign at Ashford’s Memorial Gardens