Lewis Capaldi has released a new video for his song Pointless that tells the story of how Sands United began.
We're so very grateful to Lewis and his team at EMI for wanting to share the story behind Sands United and helping more people find out about our work saving babies' lives and supporting bereaved families like Rob and Charlotte's.
Since Rob set up that first team in Northampton, Sands United has grown to become a unique way for dads and other bereaved men to come together through a mutual love of sport. Each team provides its members with peer support, and a safe space to talk about their grief if and when they're ready.
"When our baby Niamh died our world fell apart. I really struggled to find the words to talk about how I was feeling, and I now know that I'm not alone in feeling this isolation. Few experiences can compare to the trauma and pain of losing a baby. Many people don't get the support they need or even know that there is support out there.
"Setting up the first Sands United FC was a lifeline for me, and it has now helped hundreds of other men affected by pregnancy or baby loss. From the moment we put on our shirts and step out onto the pitch with our babies' names over our hearts, every Sands United member knows they are understood and that everyone in that team is there to support them.
"I can't say a big enough thank you to Lewis Capaldi for gifting us this opportunity to share our family's story and show how Sands will continue to help so many bereaved people to survive. All our babies are always loved and never forgotten. Life after loss can sometimes feel pointless but I want anyone touched by this grief to know there is also hope."
- Rob Allen, Sands United founder and Patron
Sands is here for you and anyone who needs bereavement support resources from for anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.
If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support after loss, find out all the different ways we offer this.
And if Rob's story has inspired you to set up a Sands United team you can apply to do this now.