A NEW Christmas memorial service, which is open to all bereaved parents from the Basingstoke area, will take place this weekend.

The event has been organised by the Farnborough branch of the national charity Sands – Stillbirth And Neonatal Death – which covers the area around Basingstoke, Reading, Farnborough, Frimley, Ascot, Bracknell and Wokingham.

The charity is a support group which offers emotional support and practical help when a baby dies during pregnancy, at birth or shortly afterwards. It supports anyone affected by the loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or after birth, no matter how long ago or how recent the loss.

The group is run by volunteers who are bereaved parents themselves and so understand the heartbreak of losing a child.

Farnborough Sands also works in partnership with local healthcare professionals, providing training to Basingstoke hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Royal Berkshire Hospital, and also provides memory boxes and contents to these hospitals.

In addition, the group promotes research and improvements in practice that could help reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

Laura Kirk, chairman of Farnborough Sands, said: “This is the first service we have held at Christmas and we would like to invite any adults or older children who have been affected by baby loss to come along.

“Parents can take time out of their busy Christmas preparations to remember their baby and to spend some time with others who have also been through this loss.

“Christmas time is a very difficult time of year for parents who have lost their baby as it is a very real reminder that there is someone missing from the festivities.”

The service will take place at Holy Trinity Church at Fernhill Road, in Hawley, on December 13 at 3pm. For more information, email laura@farnboroughsands.co.uk.