Ribbon display at East Yorkshire church invites people to remember babies they have lost

A ribbon display at a church in Elloughton in East Yorkshire, is giving people the chance to remember babies they have lost.

Visitors to St Mary's Church can write a message for their baby, or their baby's name, and tie it to a ribbon on the display.

It is being held during Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Nicola Boddy, who lives in the East Riding, has been taking part after losing her second child to stillbirth in 2021.

She said she first heard of the charity Sands while she was in hospital, where it sponsors the bereavement room, and has chosen to support it for that reason.

Meeting others who have been through it

Nicola Boddy said: "I just think when you have lost a child, well, particularly a baby, you don't have many memories to hold onto."

She said coming together as a community to do something for her baby had helped, as had speaking to other people about what they went through.

She said reading the messages left by others had made her feel less alone.

She said other mothers had come forward to speak to her through the display, and that a WhatsApp group has now formed.

She has also attended a remembrance service and a charity event for Chasing Rainbows during the week.

Who can take part

Nicola Boddy said the display is not just for mothers.

She said fathers, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles and friends are all welcome to take part.

There is no set event, and people can visit when they have a spare few minutes.

They can reflect at the display or inside the church, where they can also light a candle.

She said that for anyone who knows someone who has lost a baby, writing the baby's name on a ribbon can show they are remembered.

Support available

Nicola Boddy said baby loss is still a taboo subject.

She said: "People just don't know how to approach the subject or what to say and get embarrassed, I suppose."

She said Sands holds support groups and has people available on the phone for anyone going through a loss.

Nicola Boddy said: "If people feel alone, they just need to know that they're not alone and there is support out there."