Helmsley is turning pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2018.

All Saints Church, The Feversham Monument and the Black Swan Hotel will be illuminated in pink and blue lights from today (Tuesday) to October 15 show Helmsley’s support for Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Next Monday the Danby Beacon Trust are lighting the Danby Beacon at 7pm during the international Wave of Light - this marks the end of Baby Loss Week.

The annual awareness week, now in its 16th year, is an opportunity for bereaved parents, families and friends, to commemorate babies’ lives and break the silence around pregnancy and baby loss in the UK.

Local campaigner Annika Dowson, who lives in Helmsley, said: “I hope turning Helmsley pink and blue will spark conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies.”

All the buildings and landmarks turning pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2018 will be featured www.babyloss-awareness.org and social media pages. Anyone can share their photos of these buildings on social media tagged #BLAW2018.

Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity), said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is a unique opportunity for parents to commemorate their babies who died, and I hope bereaved families who see buildings lit up pink and blue will feel less isolated and alone in their grief.

“Pregnancy loss or the death of a baby is a tragedy that affects thousands of people every year. It is devastating for parents and families and it’s vital they get the bereavement support and care they need, for as long as they need it.”

For further information about Baby Loss Awareness Week visit: www.babyloss-awareness.org