Fun day to raise cash for charities

A couple are hosting a fun day this weekend in memory of their stillborn child.

Rebecca and Lewis Clark will hold the event on Saturday - four days before what would have been little Charlie Clark’s first birthday on January 29.

Called Charlie’s Fun Day, the Kingsnorth Village Hall event is aiding charities Sands [Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society], Tommy’s and 4Louis - all of which support families grieving for stillborn children.

Sands, which was founded in 1978, aims to reduce the number of babies dying and ensures anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best care.

Already Mr and Mrs Clark, who live in Ashford, have smashed their £1,000 fundraising target, garnering £2,000 of donations ahead of the event.

More is expected to be raised by Charlie’s uncles, who are getting their heads shaved, and a raffle with over 50 prizes including a short trip to France, four tickets to Port Lympne and £100 in cash.

Mrs Clark, 26, said: “Our main aim of the day is to honour our son’s memory.

“We had such a healthy textbook pregnancy until the day he passed.

“Unfortunately we have learnt stillbirths are a lot more common than people realise, nine babies a day in just the UK to be exact, and so many babies die without any reason at all while in the womb.

“Because of this my husband and I have decided we want to help support three charities of choice that have helped support us in our time of need this past year.

“We want to help to try and make a difference and to raise as much money and awareness as we can as baby loss is still such a taboo subject.

“If the day is a success, we aim to hold another every year.”

Charlie’s Fun Day will run from 1pm to 6pm this Saturday (January 25) at Kingsnorth Village Hall in Church Hill.

Face painting, a magic show and games will be on offer at the event, which is free to enter.

■ To donate to the fundraising campaign, visit bit.ly/2TL7gDr