S.A.N.Ds
*Before I start this post, I just want to advise that this subject may be a trigger for some people and for that I’m sorry, but this is a big part of our lives (and not just because we are planning the ball) and we want to share it with you.
We hope you had a good weekend and a fab start to this week!
We had a meeting with committee members from the Huddersfield and Halifax SANDs group to finalise details for the ball (it’s now time to get shopping!)
One of the reasons we are so honoured to be chosen to be involved in this project is because SANDs (the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity) has been part of our lives for the last 10 years.
In July 2007 Ellie gave birth to her beautiful baby girl Madison Paige (at full term and a healthy 7lb 12oz) who tragically passed away just a few hours after birth. The exact cause of death was never established but due to lack of oxygen in the later stages of labour she was unable to survive more than a few precious hours.
Sands offered support at this difficult time and Ellie found the support meetings (run by other bereaved parents) a huge comfort.
Ellie welcomed her rainbow baby Natasha Rose into the world in May 2009 and in 2010 became a Sands Befriender, and could now officially support other parents through the hardest possible circumstances. Having been a member of Oldham Sands, Ellie went on to help establish Huddersfield Sands in 2012, and later the Halifax sub-group in 2014 - being group Treasurer for much of this period. Ellie retired from her Befriender role in 2016, but remains involved and passionate about advocating for better care and support during pregnancy and post-natally, as well as fundraising for further research and resources.
As one of Ellie’s best friends since school, it was clear how much this charity had provided a lifeline for Ellie and her now husband Andy (not to mention their family and friends who were also affected) in those early days and every day since and how vital this support is for any parent who has had to endure this tragedy in their lives.
It is something that no matter how hard you want to help someone going through this, unless you have been through it yourself you can only do so much. This is where SANDs comes in x
I have attended previous SANDs balls and balloon releases and in 2010 I hurled myself out of an aeroplane at 14,000ft to raise £1000 that I donated to UK SANDs.
The upcoming Sands Crystal Ball in March this year is going to be the biggest event yet, and Bows and Joy are so honoured to be involved - not only with the organisation and decoration for the event, but on the night I will play host as the Master of Ceremonies as well as donating my time and talents (if I do say so myself!) as a singer to entertain the guests.
If this is a cause you would like to support (or receive support from), you can buy tickets for the ball and contact them via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Huddersfieldsands
For more information about how Sands helps bereved families visit www.uk_sands.org
