Lights of Love services for 2011

The death of a baby or another loved one is difficult to bear at any time of the year. Yet at Christmas with so much emphasis on children, families and sharing happy times together those feelings of grief can sometimes become very acute.

Since 2005 we have held Lights of Love services in mid-December to give families the opportunity to attend an evening of traditional carols, readings and musical performances and remember their loved ones.

As well as the services in London, Nottingham, Builth Wells, Wales and Portadown, Northern Ireland; the Scottish network held their first service in Stirling in 2009 and the North network hosted a service in Liverpool.

The trees at all six venues were adorned with messages and all had the opportunity to come forward and light a candle in memory of their loved ones. The tables with their tiny flickering lights gently glowing at the front of each church were very visible affirmations of the continuing love felt for our babies. At the end of the services, whilst many stayed to enjoy refreshments others had to head home as they’d travelled quite a distance to attend.

"I was there too last night and thought it was a lovely service, although I found it all quite overwhelming, knowing that all those people have gone through what I have. I couldn't stop crying. Thanks to all who organised it. I felt like it was a lovely thing to do in memory of all the babies."