BEREAVED families walked in memory of their babies in the Swindon Sands Walk A Mile In My Shoes event recently.

Family members and friends who have been supported by the charity that helps people who have experienced a still-birth or neonatal death, organised a sponsored walk around Coate Water Country Park to raise awareness and funds.

Around 50 people took part in the walk for Sands which as well as offering support, also promotes research into stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

Natasha Wilson, committee member for Swindon Sands Community said she was delighted with the turnout on the day.

“It was lovely to have all the children with us remembering the brothers and sisters who are no longer with us," she said.

Natasha, had previously had two healthy pregnancies, so she and her husband Ben were distraught when they lost their baby girl, Rebecca at 36 weeks.

“Sands is part of our lives now, it is a real part of our family. It is like a gateway for support and they have really helped all of us.

“The walk went extremely well, the weather stayed dry and it was really nice to all be united and remember our loved ones,” said Natasha, 30 from Shrivenham.

Rebecca was stillborn weighing a healthy 7lbs 8oz.

The walk was designed to give families the chance to remember and reflect upon their babies and to talk to people in similar situations.

Judy Reynolds who works in administration support at the Swindon Advertiser Administration did the walk in honour of her daughter Lisa Downey who lost her baby while 22 weeks pregnant.

Judy took part in the walk with Lisa who wanted to give something back to a charity that has helped her during her grief.

“It is for a great cause and is something close to our hearts," said July. "My daughter had pure bad luck to lose her baby in February and Sands has been brilliant with her and her husband.

“It was a great day and we have been able to raise more than £950 for the charity.”

This is the third year the sponsored walk has been held. The money raised will go towards funding vital Sands support services, including providing memory boxes for grieving parents, family members and friends dealing with still-birth and neo-natal deaths.

To donate to Swindon Sands visit www.justgiving.com/sandsswindon or for more information visit www.swindonsands.org.