Calderdale Council is lighting up Wainhouse Tower blue and pink to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week 2020 (Friday 9 to Thursday 15 October).
This annual national week is an opportunity to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss in the UK, and for bereaved parents and their loved ones to unite with others to commemorate their babies’ lives.
This year, the focus is on the isolation that many people experience after pregnancy and baby loss. Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic may make the grieving and support process even more difficult.
The Council is encouraging local people to come together to let those affected by pregnancy and baby loss know they are not alone, to share their experiences and show that support is available.
In Calderdale, The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation helps to increase awareness of stillbirth, helps parents who have experienced the death of a baby, and supports research to help reduce the number of babies who die during pregnancy or birth.
Ben Moorhouse and Gaynor Thompson from Calderdale set up the Foundation in memory of their daughter Kallipateira, who tragically passed away less than two weeks before Gaynor was due to give birth in 2018. Ben and Gaynor said they felt like a part of them had died – they had planned the rest of their lives, hopes and dreams for Kallipateira, but within hours this was now not happening. They had an amazing support network and created the Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation as a promise to their daughter, and a gift from her to everyone that it will benefit and support. www.kmfoundation.co.uk(external link)
Ben Moorhouse, Head Trustee of The Kallipateira Moorhouse Foundation, said:
“Wainhouse Tower is an iconic landmark in Calderdale and all parents of babies that have died are proud to stand tall just like the tower in celebration of their babies during this important Baby Loss Awareness Week.
“Baby death is sadly a taboo subject in society and as parents who will always grieve for our daughter, we hope more people will learn that it’s ok to talk about it and that the babies who have died exist and also the parents will always be a mum and dad. We thank Calderdale Council for its support with lighting up Wainhouse Tower as a symbol of love and hope.”
Cllr Tim Swift, Leader Calderdale Council, said:
“We share our deepest sympathies with everyone affected by the loss of a baby or child. We understand this must be a devastating and incredibly difficult experience, which can have a major impact on people’s mental wellbeing. It is so important to get care and support.
“We are showing our support for bereaved families and honouring their babies’ lives by lighting up Wainhouse Tower during Baby Loss Awareness Week, and encouraging our communities to get involved in any way they can.”
There are many ways to safely get involved during the pandemic, such as lighting up your home or garden with pink and blue lights; decorating your windows with pink and blue bunting; displaying pink and blue tealight holders and other decorations; and dressing in pink and blue clothes.
Follow #BLAW2020 on Twitter and visit https://babyloss-awareness.org(external link) for more information and support.