Ely Cathedral to light up to show support for baby loss awareness week

Ely Cathedral will light up in pink and blue for baby loss awareness week this October.

The city landmark will show their support for the cause once again this year - from October 9 to 15 - as part of the initiative by charity Petals.

The baby loss counselling charity is appealing to local businesses, organisations, landmarks and other workplaces to display the colours to raise awareness of the devastating impact losing a baby can have.

Nine babies are stillborn every single day in the UK, and one in four pregnancies will end in miscarriage.

Petals say there is still a stigma attached to baby loss, meaning that couples who lose a child during or just after pregnancy are often left feeling isolated at a time when they desperately need support.

Karen Burgess, chief executive at Petals, said: “Petals exists to provide specialist counselling to bereaved parents, but Baby Loss Awareness Week is all about widening the conversation, encouraging everyone to talk about baby loss.

“If more people did this, parents may find it easier to cope with the grief and trauma they’ve experienced rather than feeling that they have to suffer in silence”.

Businesses and organisations that are interested in lighting up pink and blue this year should email contact@petalscharity.org

More information is also available at www.petalscharity.org/blaw2018