A fundraising trio have handed over a cheque for a five-figure sum to help provide support and comfort for bereaved parents.
Friends Amy Grimwood, Clare Strowger and Ria Pilkington collected a whopping £10,205 from the proceeds of a sponsored walk in aid of Sands – the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.
Amy, from Leiston, lost her baby boy, Harry, eight months into her pregnancy in February. Clare, also from Leiston, lost twins seven years ago when five months pregnant.
Their friend, Ria, was keen to support them and helped organise the three-mile sponsored walk in her home town of Aldeburgh.
“We were really touched by the support everyone showed,” said 26-year-old Amy, who is expecting a baby at Christmas.
She and her partner, Chris, were supported by Ipswich Hospital and by Sands, which also provided a memory box to remember Harry by.
Amy said: “Sands help people like me who have gone through the trauma of losing a baby.
“They gave us a memory box with handprints and footprints and pictures. I’d hate for people not to get the opportunity to also receive that support.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel – but when you’re in that situation, it’s hard for you to see the light.
“You feel like you’re the only person in the world who has gone through it, but you’re not.
“There is support out there. Me being pregnant again might help people see that there is hope.”
A crowd of sponsored walkers donned baby-grow style “onesies” and other colourful outfits for the fundraising event, which took place in May and finished up at Aldeburgh’s Railway Inn pub, which is run by Ria’s mother. Walkers got into the spirit with a funky warm-up, led by another of Amy’s friends, before setting off.
Amy thanked everyone for taking part in the walk and donating sponsorship. Local businesses also leant support, and her employer, the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society, helped raise money for the cause.
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