Tickets are now available for Starlight Walk at Holyrood Park on Sunday 19 November, in aid of Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity.
Starlight Walk follows a 6km route through the beautiful Holyrood Park and is an opportunity for anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss, however recently or longer ago, to remember their much-loved babies by walking alongside other bereaved parents and families.
People taking part in the Starlight Walk have spoken about why they are doing this and what it means to them.
Bereaved mum, Rachel said: “We lost one of our twin girls, Nieve, at 26 weeks due to heart complications and it was the most difficult time of my life.
“Both our girls were delivered 5 weeks later. Nieve was born asleep first with a little helping hand from the amazing midwives and then her sister followed via an emergency c-section a few hours later. As we mourned for our girl, we also had her sister in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit fighting to survive.
“From the very first steps, Sands offered me a helping hand. They helped me find comfort through speaking to other parents and knowing they shared our pain. It was learning from them that helped me. I gained strength from other mums through their experience.
“I am walking to help ensure parents like me, can and do have an organisation such as Sands where they can get support, find comfort and even maybe a little hope just like I did.”
Bereaved sibling, Donna said: “For the last two years, I have taken part in this very special walk for my twin Rick, who died at 13 weeks’ gestation, and have thoroughly enjoyed it since it started in Edinburgh.
“It is a walk of camaraderie, reflection and a lot of love. It feels so good to belong to a group of like-minded people, passionate in raising money and awareness to prevent the pain we all feel, happening to others.
“I walk in memory of my twin brother but also for all ‘womb mates’ and their survivors. However, like many of us, I know so many people who have impacted by baby loss, so I walk for their loved ones too.”
Registration on the day opens at 3pm ready for the first wave of walkers to begin at 3.45pm. Walkers will meet at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth building before heading down to Holyrood Park and walking around Arthur’s Seat.
Once at 150 metres elevation, the walkers will be able to take in the incredible views of Edinburgh City Centre, looking out towards Duddington Loch, before heading back under magical starlight with their lanterns and torches shining brightly.
Tickets are £17.00 for adults, £12.00 for children (under 16) and free for children under 3 and are now available to purchase online.
Everyone that registers will receive two paper lanterns to carry on the walk, a walking memory card to wear with pride, a Starlight Walk medal once they have crossed the finish line, and a well-earned tea or coffee and cake in reception with an opportunity to add to our wall of remembrance.
Sands’ Events Fundraising Manager, Florence Moffat said: “For those that are unable to attend the event in Bristol on 11 November, there is also a virtual Starlight Walk at Home taking place which can be completed anywhere in the UK on 2 December, on your own or with a loved one.
Sign up for free and stroll through the countryside, march through the town or simply let your feet lead the way as you walk either 5km or 10km for Sands. Like starlight itself, the love for our babies is endless, and together we will walk through the darkness and find the light.”
Every day 13 babies die before, during or shortly after birth. Sands works to understand where and why babies die and why some women and babies are more at risk than others.
Sands is determined to save every life it can and ensure the right care and support is there for every bereaved family, whenever and wherever they need it.
For further information on Sands’ Starlight Walk visit:
www.sands.org.uk/starlight-walk-edinburgh
For further information on Sands’ Starlight Walk at Home visit:
www.sands.org.uk/starlight-walk-home-2023
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