“We had such a great turnout last year, and it was a beautiful evening, with so many people remembering their babies” – Natalie is organising a second candlelit walk for families to come together, talk and feel supported

Bereaved families have the chance to reflect and remember while taking part in a poignant candlelit walk.

A similar gathering was held for the first time last year and is again taking place at Clare Country Park, to mark the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week.

It is being organised by Natalie Smith, whose daughter, Quinn, died in February 2023. She had a severe infection which led to major heart problems and was just nine weeks old.

The ‘Wave of Light Walk’ is open to all parents and family members who have experienced something similar and will get underway at 7pm on Tuesday, 15^th October.

“We had such a great turnout last year, and it was a beautiful evening, with so many people remembering their babies,” said Natalie.

“We represented a community that had come together to talk and feel supported.

“We’ve become part of a group no-one wants to be in, but it’s comforting to know we’re not alone.

“As before, I want to reach out to other parents to make sure they feel the same, and this year’s walk is another chance to come together and remember our little ones.

“It’s a lovely way to remember our babies in a beautiful local park, and there’s no pressure on anyone to do or say anything.

“It’s an opportunity to have a quiet walk, reflect, remember and, if they want to, meet and connect with others.”

Natalie and husband James will again be bringing pink, blue and white LED candles, as well as biodegradable balloons, to release at the end of the walk.

Refreshments will be available, and any donations will be put towards organising something similar next year. National Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) runs from 9^th to 15^th October.

“I’d been reading about BLAW and knew I wanted to do something, to remember all the babies lost too soon,” said Natalie, who lives near Haverhill.

“Since losing Quinn, I’ve wanted to do whatever I can to help support others and sharing our story and meeting other parents really does that.

“That’s why I decided to organise last year’s walk, and I couldn’t believe the positive response when I started sharing details on Facebook.

“It was a very special and beautiful evening, and there was such a poignant moment when we released balloons into the sky and saw a shooting star.”

Anyone interested in taking part can turn up on the night, bringing a torch or headlight. Meet at the ‘muddy boot shed’, just past the café on the left, at 6.45pm.