15 babies die before, during or shortly after birth every day in the UK.  Many of these lives could be saved with improvements both to care and to our understanding of why babies die and how to protect them. The UK needs to be better - which is why Sands is running the #challenge15 campaign to highlight the fact that #15babiesaday die and challenge the notion that this is acceptable.

Having worked at Sands for over 9 years now and spoken to thousands of people affected by the death of a baby - every single bereavement is heart-breaking. Sands believes with further research more babies lives can be saved, and because tragically 15 babies still die every day, Sands will continue to provide support to anyone affected by the death of a baby, and work to improve the care bereaved families receive.

To do my bit and take part in #challenge15 Baxter and I will be walking a mile a day for 15 days to cover 15 miles together. And I'll also be walking 15 miles on 15th January with other Sands staff to help raise vital funds and awareness.

By taking part in #challenge15 Baxter and I are hoping to raise £150 -

• £150 could provide 10 x Family Support Packs to bereaved parents in need of information and advice.
• £150 could pay for two health professionals to attend one of Sands Improving Bereavement Care workshops and enable them to give supportive, empathetic and sensitive care to bereaved parents.
• £150 could also provide Memory Boxes to 7 x bereaved families - these boxes help parents to create special memories and collect keepsakes of their baby.

With your help we can work towards a future where fewer babies are dying.

Thanks so much for anything and everything,

Madeleine & Baxter