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For everyone that has found my JustGiving page through my WordPress blog, you would have read my Rebecca's story, for those who have stumbled across this page for whatever reason please feel free to pop along to my blog and you can find out the full story behind my campaign and fundraising. Link can be found at the bottom of this post

Since Rebecca left us I have felt so alone. I found myself on Sands forums to surround myself with other parents going through the same thing, this brings such comfort to me. These parents are so courageous and strong, each of their losses breaks my heart. There are far too many babies dying, leaving far too many parents with empty arms, shattered dreams and broken hearts.

 I have benefited greatly from Sands forum, Sands website and Sands telephone support. My local Sands charity, Swindon Sands, holds a monthly support group, where I can be surrounded by parents from my area who share the gut wrenching pain of losing a precious baby, we cry together - we're in it together.

Sands is always looking for donations to help prevent the 17 babies who die in the UK each day. Swindon Sands have been lucky enough in the past few years to raise money for a beautiful Baby Memorial Garden that is located in the cemetery where Rebecca has been laid to rest - this is a tranquil garden, with marble sculptures and benches, a place where you can sit in peace, write your baby's name on a pebble and surround yourself with love for your lost little one.

Swindon Sands has also been raising money towards a bereavement suite for the delivery unit for my local hospital where Rebecca was born. 

I can personally see why this is needed. As it stands at the moment, once you have heard the life changing news that your child has died, you are placed in an ordinary delivery suite which are prepared to bring live babies into the world. This in itself holds many insults to parents preparing to deliver a stillborn child. Posters advertising breastfeeding hang on the wall are like an added knife through your heart. Constant reminders of what you have now lost. The new bereavement suite will be a tranquil room with a double bed, soft furnishings and decorated with delicate colours and with no insensitive items that can trigger more pain at your most vulnerable time. Also a separate room for family members to be at your side during this difficult home. Providing facilities that enable you to to make a drink without having to step out into the busy labour ward. To have somewhere that is away from the normal hustle and bustle of a delivery ward would be great for these parents needing peace and space.

Donations also go towards making precious Memory Boxes, these boxes are filled with a blanket for your baby, two teddies (one for baby and one for parents to keep), somewhere to keep a cherished lock of hair, resources to get parents in touch with Sands and lots of other lovely beautiful keepsakes. These are lovingly made up by parents who have suffered a loss. This box was, and will always be so special to me. I couldn't walk out of the hospital with my daughter, but I did walk out with a beautiful box filled with the most sacred of memories. This is thanks to Sands. I have named only a few of the great things Swindon Sands does for bereaved parents, there is so much unnoticed that goes on behind the scenes that keeps this network afloat. All thanks to your donations.

Here is a link to my wordpress blog should you wish to read Rebecca's story.

www.justiceforrebeccaflorence.wordpress.com

We also are campaigning via an epetition for the Government to review the practicing of the procedure that caused Rebecca to pass away, you can find out more or sign the petition at:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104329

Please spare anything you can, Swindon Sands needs every penny possible to keep this amazing support network going, leading on to do amazing things to help keep the memory of our angel babies alive.

Thank you so much x