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We are here to support any person affected by the death of a baby. We offer one-to-one befriending, telephone support and advice as well as regular group support meetings.


We work with people in Bedfordshire and surrounding areas and all of our services are provided free of charge by local volunteers - Beds SANDS receives no funding other than by donation.

Barton Players support Bedfordshire Sands

Barton Players have kindly made Bedfordshire Sands their charity, to support us in our plight to fundraise for the Bereavement Suite.

They have raised a massive £400.93 during their performance of 'A Christmas Carol' and during two carol services.

We are so very thankful for their continued support. 

Please see their website for more details on their activities: http://bartonplayers2010.wordpress.com/

Summer Ball

We are holding a Fundraising ball on Saturday 30th June 2012 to raise funds for the planned bereavement Suite at the Cygnet Wing, Bedford Hospital.

It will be held in the beautiful marquee, within the grounds of the Mansion House, Old Warden Park, nr Biggleswade.

As well as reception drinks and a three course dinner, there will be a live disco, an acoustic guitarist/singer, an auction, a raffle, an anchored balloon ride (weather dependant) and much more.

Tickets will be £40 per head with an added incentive of a 10% reduction to those buying ten tickets for a table for a group.

If you can support this massive event in any way, please email Claire, Vanessa or Jo at bedfordshiresands@yahoo.co.uk.  We are looking for help with sourcing some of the entertainment and auction and raffle prizes.  

Christmas Remembrance Service

Christmas can be a difficult time for those of us whose little ones are not here to share it with us, and the Remembrance service gives an opportunity to spend a little time for our children.  There is a service which includes readings and carols, baubles with our baby's names on which we hang on the Christmas tree.  We also light candles for our babies and afterwards there are cakes and drinks in the hall as well as a raffle, to help raise funds for Bedfordshire Sands.

We would like to invite you the service which will be held at Stewartby Church on  Sunday 4th December 2012  at 4pm.

If you would like to have a reading for your baby, please would you let us have a copy before 10th November, so it can be included in the programme.  This can be emailed to: bedfordshiresands@yahoo.co.uk.

Please contact us for further information.

Due to lack of space in the church, we can invite bereaved parents and their children only, regrettably, there is no room for grandparents too.


Bedford School

Bedfordshire Sands have been very fortunate to have gained the support of Bedford School, who are helping support us in our plight to raise funds for the much needed Bereavement Suite at Bedford Hospital.

They have already raised a large amount of money, and one teacher along with four pupils are taking part in the Bedford Sprint Triathlon, on Sunday 2nd October.

Please help support them by donating at: 

SANDS Jewellery


Jewellery Designer, Wendy Kemp has recently designed a collection of jewellery (The Sands Footprint Collection) in support of Sands.  Her inspiration to support Sands is through her dear friends who lost their baby boy 3 years ago. 
We are happy to announce that she now has another collection which she is kindly donating  £1 of all sales to SANDS. Her two collections: The Sands Footprint Collection and The Sands Butterfly Collection can be seen on her website. 

THE LONDON TRIATHLON


Recent new Bedfordshire Sands’ member Matt Clark has taken up the challenge of the London Triathlon to raise funds and awareness for a bereavement suite at Bedford hospital. The event consists of a 1500m swim in Victoria Dock (adjacent to ExCel arena), followed by a 40km bike ride and a 10km run. Matt, and his wife Jo, have already had some positive meetings with Bedford Hospital and look forward to working with them to get the bereavement suite built within the existing maternity wing. 

Bedford's Times and Citizen newspaper have published this story and placed it on the front page, which has already helped to bring in some donations.

A Just Giving page has been set up for anyone who would like to donate to this fabulous project at: www.justgiving.com/kyles-bereavementsuite. This also gives you the opportunity to read Jo and Matt’s story and find out why they came to Bedfordshire Sands.


Afternoon Tea - 18th June 2011


There were cakes galore and lots more at the afternoon tea we held on Saturday 18th June, at Transfiguration Church Hall, Kempson.
We had a fantastic turnout of people and it was lovely to see lots of new faces who came to support us.

Thank you to all of the members who helped to make the day a success along with those that made lots of delicious cakes.  Thank you to those kind donations for the raffle and for those that could attend.

Bedfordshire Sands Barbecue - Sunday 26th June

Every summer, Bedfordshire Sands organises a walk of remembrance with a balloon release, followed by a barbecue, during Sands Awareness month to remember our babies who have died. The walk and barbecue will be on Sunday 26th June, starting at 1pm 
We will meet from 1pm and we will walk from there to the Silsoe Village Millennium Gardens, as a mark of remembrance, where the balloon release will take place. We will be releasing a balloon for each baby, and you can write a message for your baby onto rice paper, which will then be attached to your baby’s balloon. (We will supply rice paper and balloons.) Back at Mairi’s house, there will also be clay hearts and shapes, which you may decorate or write a message on and take home to keep.
Afterwards, the barbecue will start at around 3pm. Please bring along your own food to cook on the barbecue, e.g. sausages, burgers, steaks or vegetarian alternatives. (There will be a separate barbecue for vegetarians.) We will provide bread rolls, green salad and drinks. It would be great if you could bring along other salads, coleslaw, fruit, desserts, quiche, crisps and dips or something else to contribute. 
Please contact us by phone: 07900 106543, or by email: bedfordshiresands@yahoo.co.uk. 

Bedford Hospital Bereavement Suite

Trying the Triathlon - 31st July 2011
Recent new Bedfordshire Sands’ member Matt Clark has taken up the challenge of the London Triathlon to raise funds and awareness for a bereavement suite at Bedford hospital. The event consists of a 1500m swim in Victoria Dock (adjacent to ExCel arena), followed by a 40km bike ride and a 10km run. Matt, and his wife Jo, have already had very positive meetings with Bedford Hospital and look forward to working with them to get the bereavement suite built within the existing maternity wing. The hospital is currently looking into employing an architect and arranging for quotations for the work.
A Just Giving page has been set up for anyone who would like to donate to this fabulous project at: www.justgiving.com/kyles-bereavementsuite. This also gives you the opportunity to read Jo and Matt’s story and find out why they came to Bedfordshire Sands

Daytime Support Group

We have a daytime Support Group, on the first Monday of every month, in Sandy, from 1.30-3.30pm. Claire, a befriender, hosts the group. The group is intended to support anyone who cannot make the evening support group, those who are pregnant after a loss, or those who have small babies and children. You are welcome to bring your children along, as Claire has small children herself.

Saturday 26th March - Quiz Night in aid of Beds SANDS

Bedfordshire SANDS is looking to run a Quiz night and fish and chip supper on Saturday 26th March 2011 at Shefford Community Hall (SG17 5BD).
The event is scheduled to last between 7.30 and 10.30 pm and the quiz will start promptly at 7.45pm.
If you are interested in attending, please get in touch prior to the event via our email address:
bedfordshiresands@yahoo.co.uk
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