‘The children are all here together’

The Babies Memorial Garden, within Carleton Cemetery, is to be refurbished to have its original memorial stone, unveiled by a charity and donated by Wyre Memorials in 1993, brought back to being a central feature of the area.

Bereaved mothers have told of both their relief and joy that the area will be given a fresh look, as it offers families a place to grieve following the devastating loss of a child.

Charity boss Helen Grimshaw, from Blackpool’s branch of SANDS (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death) charity has said the acknowledgement for families will bring comfort to many.​

She said: “People who come here find a great deal of comfort in feeling like the children are all here together and knowing they’re not alone.

“The loss of a baby is so different to any other kind of loss.”

Megan Murray, a bereavement nurse specialist, added: “These babies deserve to be remembered and have a proper resting place.

“It’s about acknowledgement and that need for all of us to remember and have a place to allow that is really important.”

Now the original memorial stone, featuring the SANDS logo and words of comfort, is to be cleaned up, to be brought back to scratch by its original benefactor, Wyre Memorials, and a series of benches will be put in around it. Blackpool has long been considered progressive in its treatment of, and provision for, families who have lost a baby, opening up its dedicated Babies Memorial Garden in the mid 90s and allowing any baby lost during pregnancy to be cremated at the cemetery.

A SANDS support group meets on the first Wednesday of every month, at Blackpool Sport Centre, by Stanley Park. For details, contact: 07938977676