A special service is being held for families who have gone through the traumatic experience of

losing a baby during pregnancy, childbirth or shortly afterwards.

The service will take place at St Stephen’s & St Agnes’ Church, Vansittart Road, Windsor on Tuesday, October 15 starting at 6.30pm. There is no need to book in advance. The service will include readings, music and prayers and will end at 7pm with the lighting of candles as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week.

The Rector of Windsor Reverend Sally Lodge, who will be leading the service said: “This short service is for all who have been affected by the loss of a baby, especially following miscarriage, during childbirth or shortly afterwards - whether that loss was recent or many, many years ago. The service is open to everybody including extended family, siblings and friends. Everyone will have an opportunity if they wish to light a candle in memory of their baby.”

For more details call Mrs Lodge on 01753 862419.

The annual awareness week now in its 17th year, is an opportunity for bereaved parents, families and friends, to commemorate babies’ lives and break the silence around pregnancy and baby loss in the UK.

Clea Harmer, chief executive of Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity), said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is a unique opportunity for parents to commemorate their babies who died and I hope this service will help bereaved families in the Windsor area to feel less isolated and alone in their grief."

For further information about Baby Loss Awareness Week visit: www.babyloss-awareness.org