Local volunteers Kaylee Hargreaves, Sammy Bridges and Paris Kelynack have been named as the winners of a Bel Mooney Award for Raising Awareness by the pregnancy and baby loss charity, Sands.
The Sands Volunteer Awards Ceremony was held at the Sands Garden Day, at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday (7th June).
Sands’ Chief Executive Clea Harmer and Sands’ co-founder and Patron Bel Mooney presented the winners with an engraved trophy and a certificate, signed by Clea and Sands’ Director of Volunteering and Bereavement Support, Jen Coates.
The Isle of Wight trio were praised for bringing the Isle of Wight Sands support group back to the community, helping bereaved families access crucial support. As part of their efforts, they also organised the group’s first Starlight Walk – a night-time event giving families the opportunity to walk in memory of their babies.
Sammy has said:
“Volunteering with Sands has shown me just how powerful it can be to just listen. I feel that one of the greatest impacts we can have is to sit with someone in their grief, say their baby’s name, and honour their story.
“In those moments, we offer love, validation, and the reminder that they are not alone.”
Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands, has said:
“Volunteers are at the heart of our community and so much of the work we do to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families would not be possible without their commitment and dedication. Kaylee, Sammy and Paris have made such a difference in the Isle of Wight, and this shone through in their nomination.
“Thank you to everyone who nominated a Sands Volunteer for an award. We had so many amazing nominations from across the UK. We’re always keen to hear from others who’d like to give their time to support our work.”
Bel Mooney has said:
“Kaylee, Sammy and Paris have worked tirelessly to bring support back to bereaved families on the Isle of Wight.
“One in two of us, or somebody we know, has experienced the loss of a pregnancy or death of a baby. Talking and writing about baby loss is not easy but it’s vital that parents’ voices are heard so that other bereaved families know they are not alone, and their experiences help improve care and save more babies’ lives.
“Thank you to all three amazing volunteers for doing so much to break the silence around pregnancy and baby loss.”
Sands Garden Day included the awards ceremony and opportunities to learn more about Sands’ work in the morning. A Remembrance Event was held in the afternoon, allowing families to come together in memory and hope.
Support for anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss is available at www.sands.org.uk/support.
Aww I think that’s really nice..well done to you lot ! .. “bless” .