VOLUNTEERS in Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas are being sought to organise the district’s first ever Woodland Walk to help bereaved families experiencing pregnancy or baby loss.
The Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity is looking to raise £3.5million to bring Woodland House, a brand new, purpose-built bereavement centre, to its site next to the QE.
And the charity is hoping people will stage community strolls in a local park, a nearby country park or even on a favourite nature trail to raise vital funds for the appeal.
This event will be one of a series of local, community-run walks taking place across the Midlands.
The local walk organiser can even personalise their walk for the community, with children’s activity zones, catering and special remembrance ceremonies.
Birmingham Women’s Hospital is one of only two dedicated women’s hospitals in the UK and is a centre of excellence providing specialist services to more than 50,000 women, men and families every year from across the region.
With the busiest single-site maternity unit in the country, the hospital also cares for more than 2,000 grieving mums and dads every year who have lost a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.
Woodland House would enable bereaved parents to take in their news away from the hustle and bustle of the hospital’s main wards.
It would provide a place where families could spend time together in safe, secure and serene surroundings before they feel ready to face the world again.
Miranda Williams, the public fund-raising manager at Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are in desperate need of a dedicated space to look after and care for our bereaved families, and our new series of Woodland Walks will help us achieve our £3.5million target and set a new standard of care after pregnancy or neonatal loss.
“Our bereaved families will never forget the time they spend with us and whilst we can’t ever ease the heartbreak of losing a precious child, you can help us create an environment that recognises and honours their loss.”
The charity’s fund-raising team will provide organisers with all the support and guidance they need to make their event as successful as possible.
- Call the fund-raising team on 0121 335 8040, email [email protected] or visit bwh.org.uk/woodland-walks for more on organising a walk.
n Go to bwh.org.uk/woodland-house for more on the appeal.
