Lincoln Lantern Walk honours families during Baby Loss Awareness Week
More than a hundred families are set to walk through Lincoln this evening, carrying lanterns to remember babies they've lost.
More than 100 families affected by the loss of a baby will gather for Lincoln's annual Lantern Walk, a event that offers a chance to reflect and honour their babies during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
The Lantern Walk, set for Sunday, is part of a broader series of community activities funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, including illumination of local landmarks in pink and blue, and events promoting awareness and solidarity.
Beginning at Lincoln Bishops University at, families will light their lanterns in a symbolic wave of light before proceeding to Lincoln Cathedral. Outside the cathedral, lanterns will be arranged in the shape of a heart. Participants can then enter the cathedral to light candles and spend reflective time remembering their babies.
Among those participating are Andrew and Zoe from Gainsborough, who join the procession in memory of their son Zachary, who died at 20 weeks of pregnancy in 2018.
“The day we went for the scan was to be such a happy day,” Andrew shared. “Zachary was already very much loved by the whole family, but it turned into a very different day as we discovered he had gained his wings and gone to heaven.”
Rachel Bond, Specialist Midwife at United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, emphasized the importance of the awareness week in breaking down barriers around the topic of baby loss: "Sadly, although baby loss is far more common than many people realize, it remains a subject that can be difficult to talk about."
She stressed the ongoing support provided to families, saying, "Every baby matters to us. Regardless of gestation or whether they were born alive, each baby is loved, remembered, and deeply important."
Beyond the Lantern Walk, the week includes displays of remembrance trees in hospital chapels and quiet spaces at Lincoln Cathedral for personal reflection and candle lighting.
The events culminate with the global "Wave of Light" on 15th October, when families worldwide will light candles at 7 pm, and a charity football match on 16th October between hospital staff and Balfour Beatty’s Lincoln office, raising funds for pregnancy and baby loss services.
Moved by their own experience, Andrew and Zoe now volunteer for Aching Arms charity, advocating for increased awareness and dialogue surrounding baby loss.
Ben Petts, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Manager said: “Supporting Baby Loss Awareness Week demonstrates our passion for delivering compassionate care to patients and families, not just when they are in hospital but also in their care afterwards.”