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

Finley's Footprints

Here's a link to a very interesting resource, 'Finley's Footprints' that offers a wide range of information and services, including Skype groups and other innovations. By way of introduction, the following is taken from the site itself:
"Finley’s Footprints was created in 2009 following the loss of Finley John Scott. Mel Scott uses her unique skills to support other parents who sadly lose a child or baby at any stage of pregnancy, or childhood. She is also able to offer services to professionals who work with the parents, and those charitable organisations who work to support them.

Finley’s footprints has several key aims.

• To provide positive information and support to parents who have lost a child. We hope that in sharing positive information, parents will be able to begin to find a sense of peace and control in the midst of the sadness of the loss of their child.
• To provide professionals with information about supporting parents who have lost a child in a variety of ways. This information will be shared from the unique perspective of a mother who has lost 2 children at different stages. We hope to improve the consistency of the care that parents receive after their loss, and to improve the confidence of professionals who provide support in this difficult time.
• To provide services, and information to charities who may support parents who have lost, or will lose a child. There are many charities who provide valuable support to parents who care for a terminally ill baby/child. We would like to support them in providing after care support, and information about the aftercare that may help parents."

Please support us at Ampthill Waitrose in November!

Bedfordshire SANDS has been fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the featured charities for November at the Ampthill branch of Waitrose.

As you may know, the Waitrose 'Community Matters' scheme sees each branch donate £1000 every month to three local charities or community projects.

The proportion of the £1000 that each charity/project receives is determined by customers - when you go through the tills, you are given a token that you then place in the box assigned to the good cause you want to support.

If you happen to be passing and want to do some Christmas or other shopping in a quality store, why not drop in and lend your support to Beds SANDS?

(Click here for map)