On the 21^st June 2010 our daughter, Anabelle, was born sleeping. Anabelle was one of; 17 babies that day, 119 babies that week and 6500 babies in 2010. Please imagine for a moment giving birth to a silent baby and never seeing your baby's eyes, holding your baby in your arms but then having to give them up and then having to plan your baby's funeral. This is what myself and my husband went through. This is what 16 other parents went through that day, 119 grandparents, aunties and uncles that week, 6500 families in 2010.

 

Our lives have been shattered into a million pieces, like every other family experiencing this heartbreaking loss. During the darkest time in our lives Sands, the stillbirth & neonatal death charity have been a constant support.

 

Sands, was founded in 1978, it was set up by a small group of bereaved parents devastated by the death of their babies and in particular by what they felt at the time was a complete lack of acknowledgment and understanding of the significance and impact of their loss. Today, in 2010, the impact of stillbirth continues to be a silent issue and awareness needs to be raised.

 

Sands continues to support families affected by the death of their much loved baby, including us and our family. Sands relies on donations to provide this much needed support, raise awareness and fund research into stillbirth and neonatal deaths.

 

Through their “Why 17? Campaign” their aim is to raise £1.7 million over 17 months to research why, still in 2010, in spite of all medical advance 17 babies a day die in the UK. We and Sands believe this number is unacceptably high and many deaths could be avoided with further research, better resources and antenatal care.

 

This is where you come in and we ask for your much needed support for the campaign.

 

On the 17th and 25^thJune 2011 we are planning to hold fundraising events to mark Anabelle's 1^st birthday and raise funds, in her memory, for Sands and the Why 17? Campaign.  

 

On the 17th we are planning  "17 themed" sponsored walks to honour the 17 babies that die every day.

 

On the 25th we are planning a birthday fete, to celebrate Anabelle's 1st birthday and raise money in her memory for Sands. 

Cut and Blowdry worth £20 from the Salon Heather Road, Family Ticket for Blue Lagoon in Bluestone, £20 from Tesco Adventure Golf for 4 at Heatherton, Massage Manicure and Pedicure from Blush Salon Cwmbran, £50 voucher for Arthur Llewellyn Jenkins, Sunday Roast for 4 at the Holiday Inn Newport, £15 Giftcard for Peacocks, Overnight stay with dinner and breakfast at the Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel, Afternoon Tea for 2 at the Hilton Cardiff, Meal for 2 at the Toby Carvery Newport, Meal for 2 at the Parkway Hotel Cwmbran, Tickerts for 2 for Taskforce, Family Ticket for Techniquest, Family Pass for Greenmeadow Community Farm, Family Pass for Manor House Wildlife Park West Wales, £10 Gift Voucher for Dance World, 4 day passes for Legoland, Family Pass for Dan Yr Ogof Cave, an online wieght loss training voucher from the Health Boutique worth £150, a trilogy of wine from Wales and West Housing, free photoshoot voucher from Gigglelicious worth £75, and a free photoshoot voucher from BellePixelle worth £75! We anticipate further prizes being donated in the next 2 and half months leading up to the event!

  

Glitterbugz Cwmbran are providing facepainting and glitter tattoos on the day and Losely are providing icecream.

Planned Stalls so far: Photobooth by BellePixelle, Cupcakes, Picture and Print sales, Craft Sales, Make your own, Indian Head Massage, Nearly New Sales, Brand New Sales, Book Stall, Name the Teddy, Guess the Weight of the Cake, Sweeties in a jar, Chocolate and Sweet Stall, Chocolate Fountain,Facepainting, Lots of game stalls for children etc.

Santander have promised to match our fundraising many times over if we initially get to £700 on the justgiving page.

  

We will live the rest of our lives without our little girl, please help us to stop so many families having to live this reality too. Help to give the impact of stillbirth a voice and to prevent babies from dying.

 

 So please dig deep, come along and join in and donate now!

 

 With our love and thanks

 

Caroline and Jon Morgan  

 

Follow our progress on twitter @cazem and my blog www.cazandbelle.blogspot.com