Sands ‘Lights of Love’ carol services
provide a special time during the Christmas period to remember babies who were stillborn or died shortly after birth.
With the Christmas season nearly upon us,
Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity,
is organising a series of 12
‘Lights of Love’ evenings across the UK for parents, family and friends
of those whose baby has died.
In Northern Ireland, two evenings of traditional carols, inspirational readings and beautiful music will be hosted in:
1. Seagoe Parish Church, 65 Seagoe Road, Portadown BT63 5HS on
Friday 4th December at 7.30pm
2. St Augustine’s Church, Palace Street, Londonderry BT48 6PS also on
Friday 4th December at 7.30pm.
In addition to the Friday night services there will be an extra evening of carols in Clogherny Parish church, 96 Church Road, Beragh,BT79 0SA Co Tyrone on Sunday 6th December at 7.30pm
For directions to Clogherny Parish Church - Click here
Those attending the Portadown, Londonderry and Clogherny services will be able to add a special message in memory of their son or daughter to the “Lights Of Love” Christmas Tree.
Each of these services also have a toybox appeal where parents can buy a toy or gift for the age their child would be this Christmas. This gives parents an opportunity to include their child in the family Christmas preparations by choosing a toy or gift they would have bought for them had they lived.
All toys and gifts are donated to the Salvation Army/St Vincent De Paul toy appeal after the services so parents can take comfort from the fact that their child’s gift will brighten another child’s Christmas.
Steven Guy, Sands NI Coordinator, says: ‘The death of a baby or another loved one is difficult to bear at any time of the year. Yet at Christmas, with so much emphasis on children, families and sharing happy times together, those feelings of grief can often seem even more acute. ‘This is the 11th ‘Lights of Love’ service we have hosted in Northern Ireland and all have been fantastically well supported. Those attending say they find the evening provides them with a time of peace and reflection and an opportunity to cherish the short time they had with their baby.’
Key Information about Sands: Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, was established by bereaved parents in 1978 and obtained charity status in 1981.
Sands core aims are 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; and
• To promote research and changes in practice that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.
For further details please visit: www.uk-sands.org or contact Steven Guy on 02838 392509 or email: steven.guy@uk-sands.org