FEW can imagine the pain of losing a baby – and fewer would know where to turn to after suffering such a loss.

But Swindon’s Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Sands) will be promoting its vital work with a charity ball.

The charity, run by Cathy Milburn, who lost her baby, Adam, in 2006, provides a place where parents can talk openly about their loss.

It also works closely with Great Western Hospital to try to lessen the ordeal of giving birth to a stillborn baby.

Sands is throwing A Starry Night masquerade ball on August 28 at Alexandra House in Wroughton.

“Sands is getting more and more members all the time, which while great that parents are finding us, is sad that they have a need for us at all,” said Cathy.

“We do so much work supporting parents and campaigning for better facilities in hospitals for parents told they will lose their child.

“The ball is a way of not only raising awareness of our work but raising money so we may continue it.”

Sands works with staff at the GWH’s maternity ward to provide parents with memory boxes containing keepsakes.

The pale yellow boxes are kept with midwives on the ward and contain a baby blanket, keepsake box for identity bracelets or locks of hair and two teddies – one to go in a baby’s coffin and one to stay with the parents.

Earlier this year the charity launched boxes for babies who die early on in pregnancy. The boxes contain tiny blankets to wrap lost little ones in so parents can treat their baby as just that when it is buried.

The ball, which starts at 7pm, will support the charity’s efforts with the memory boxes as well as maintain its helpline and run monthly support meetings.

Tickets cost £40 and include a barbecue banquet, arrival drink, a drink with the meal, entertainment and disco.

There will also be a raffle, a presentation about Sands’ work and a balloon release to remember the babies that never came home.

For more information or to book tickets, call Sands on 01793 238788, email fundraising@swindonsands.org or visit www.swindonsands.org.