Exeter Sands Lights of Love service
With the festive season nearly upon us, Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, is organising a series of thirteen ‘Lights of Love’ remembrance services across the UK for parents, family and friends of those whose baby has died.
In Exeter, the non-denominational, family friendly evening of traditional carols, inspirational readings and beautiful musical performances will be hosted at St Thomas’ Methodist Church,110-111 Cowick Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 1JE, on Friday 9th December at 7.30pm.
Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands, said: “The death of a baby or loved one is difficult at any time of the year. At Christmas, with so much emphasis on children and families sharing happy times together, the feelings of grief can often seem overwhelming. The welcoming atmosphere at our venues provide the perfect setting for a candlelit service and an opportunity of peace and reflection to remember loved ones who are no longer with us.”
Those attending this service will be able to add a special message in memory of their son or daughter to a handmade tag to hang on the ‘Lights of Love’ Christmas tree and are also invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift for the age their child would have been. The gifts will then be distributed by the local salvation army Give a gift, Light up a life Christmas present appeal to make Christmas special for children, families and others who have little or nothing under the tree on Christmas morning.
Sadly thousands of babies die each year in the UK. In 2015, 15 babies were stillborn or died within the first four weeks of life every day, shattering the lives of expectant parents, their families and friends, and the people who cared for them.
Other ‘Lights of Love’ evenings are being hosted across the UK on 9th December in: Cardiff, Derry, Durham and Wearside, Guernsey, Huddersfield, Liverpool, London, Nottingham, Portadown, Scarborough, Stirling and Warrington.
For further details please visit: https://www.uk-sands.org/get-involved/events/lights-of-love or contact Laura Stevens on 07508 01439 or exeter.sands@gmail.com.
