Hundreds of ribbons on display in Redditch park as way for people to remember their babies
The display, which can be added to all-year round, was created for the first time in 2022 by Lauren Hincks after she lost her son Rupert in 2021
Over 400 ribbons have been placed in Redditch's Arrow Valley Country Park as a way for people who've experienced baby loss to remember their baby.
Overlooking the lake in the park, each ribbon tied up is dedicated to a baby and has their individual name written on each one.
It forms part of the annual Baby Loss Awareness Week which started on the 9 October and finishes today (15 October), with the 'wave of light' candle lighting remembrance events where people can light a candle in memory of their baby happening at 7pm this evening.
The display, which can be added to all-year round, was created for the first time in 2022 by Lauren Hincks after she lost her son Rupert in 2021.
"The first baby loss awareness week we had in that October we didn't really have anywhere that we could go and visit," she said.
"So we decided the following year we would like to do our own display, something where we could remember our baby but also the babies that we had connected with along the way that belonged to so many other families from so many different places."Â
Now running for the fourth time, Mrs Hincks said when they held it for the first time they had roughly 60-70 ribbons, but that has now grown.
She described seeing the increase as both nice to see people are using the display to remember their babies but also 'heartbreaking'.
"When I write each ribbon, I say that baby's name out loud, which is really important to me because I know that each baby is so important to that family," she said.
"They're not just a name that's written on ribbon, they're a little life that has been lost and deserve to be said.
"The awareness week is not really for the people that have lost a baby, although it feels very special to us to have people remember our baby, we don't need a week to remember our baby, we remember them every day.
"This is a chance for other people to remember their baby and maybe reach out to a friend that they know lost a baby 10 years ago."
Katie Doughty has helped Mrs Hincks tie the ribbons onto the bit of wooden fencing at the park and originally got in contact with her after she lost her baby daughter Isla Rose in 2021.
"We didn't know it at the time but we lived in the same town and we also had our babies together at similar times as well," she said.
"We became friends and Lauren invited me to come along and help put up the ribbons, and it was a beautiful idea.
"So each year I've come along with her, and we've put the ribbons up, I've brought my little boy and Lauren's brought her little girl and it's nice a way for them to remember their siblings as well."
A 'wave of light' event is set to take place in the park later this evening alongside a remembrance walk to bring a close to this year's Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Further support
Further information and support can be found on pregnancy and baby loss charity Sands' website.