Exeter Sands to host Lights of Love service

With the Christmas season nearly upon us, Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, is organising a series of twelve ‘Lights of Love’ evenings across the UK for parents, family and friends of those whose baby has died.

In Exeter,  the evening of traditional carols, inspirational readings and beautiful musical performances will be hosted St Thomas’ Methodist Church, 110-111 Cowick Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 1JE Friday 5 December at 7.30pm.

Those attending this service will be able to sponsor a light on the ‘Lights of Love’ Christmas tree and add a special message in memory of their son or daughter.

Jo Gunderson of Sands and organiser of the event 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.

"We hope that people attending find the evening provides them with a time of peace and reflection and an opportunity to celebrate the lives, however short, of those no longer with us."

Incredibly 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every day in the UK (11 are stillbirths, 6 are neonatal deaths), totalling around 6,200 baby deaths a year.

Other ‘Lights of Love’ evenings are being hosted across the UK on 5 December.

For further details please visit:  www.uk-sands.org  or contact  Jo Gundersen 07845 310 617 jo.gundersen@uk-sands.org.