Margate clock tower lit in blue and pink in support of Baby Loss Awareness Week

The lit up clock tower

Margate joined towns and cities across the country in lighting up a landmark for Baby Loss Awareness Week.

The awareness week, now in its 17th year, runs from October 9-15 and 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.

The 60-plus charities leading Baby Loss Awareness Week, including Sands, The Lullaby Trust and Aching Arms,  are committed to raising awareness of pregnancy and baby loss in the UK and providing support to anyone affected. By working with health professionals and other organisations, the week aims to drive for improvements in bereavement care and support, and to reduce the incidence of pregnancy and baby loss.

Last night (October 9) Margate clock tower was lit in blue and pink between 8pm-8.30pm, joining other buildings across the country including in Herne Bay, Gravesend and Whitstable, to show support for the awareness week.

The display was carried out by Ramsgate freelance technician in events, installation and electrics James Brown.

James, of James Brown AV, specialises in AV installations, event set ups, PAT testing and stock hire, and has worked in Europe and at UK sites including Alton Towers.

The former Chatham House student is hoping to raise money for Aching Arms, which helps bring comfort following the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or infancy. They supply comfort teddy bears to parents via hospitals, hospices, support groups and funeral directors in the UK.

James, 33, said: “Aching Arms were instrumental in an old work colleague’s bereavement after a still birth last year. Friends and family of mine have all been hit and devastated from complications during pregnancy at varying stages. It’s something that nothing could ever prepare you for.

“Doing this was a way of bringing a bit of light into the darkness.”

James will repeat the display on October 15 between 8pm-9pm.

James has previously installed light displays at the Water Tower in Southwood Road, Ramsgate, and Margate’s Stone Pier.

Find the Aching Arms page here