Special memorial for babies born asleep in resort

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be holding it’s annual non-religious service on Sunday, December 6 at 3pm in the Baronial Hall at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

As part of the service, families will be given a bell with the quote from the Christmas film It’s A Wonderful Life – every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.

The bells have been donated by bereaved mum, Karen Nelson of Blackpool, who lost two babies but has found support, comfort and new challenges through the Baby Remembrance Service.

Karen said: “Bereavement support nurse Megan Murray and I thought the bells would be a lovely touch and we loved the saying from the film.” Karen said.

Karen added: “We will be giving the bells out at the start of the ceremony so it will be lovely to hear them tinkling through the service.”

Blackpool Victoria Hospital bereavement support nurse, Megan Murray said: “This event is open to anyone who has been touched by baby loss. It channels grief into something positive.”

The Trust also gives all parents a bauble on which to write their baby’s name as an act of remembrance. They can hang the bell and bauble from either the Christmas tree at the service or take it home to hang on their own tree.

The remembrance tree at the service is donated by Blackpool Council and will be taken to Carleton Cemetery after the event. Lytham and Fleetwood cemeteries will also have remembrance trees, donated by both Fylde and Wyre Councils.

For more information call (01253) 956877.