"Just before Christmas in 2022, my daughter Lucy and her fiancé Manu, lost their first child, Myah Maria. It was a devastating time for us all. I was almost in denial at first, going into a protective and practical mode, trying to stay strong for my family."
"My wife picked up a Sands support booklet that included information for grandparents, which we both found really helpful. Lucy also received support from the befrienders at the local Sands group and now also have a special leaf on the memorial tree in Maidenhead, dedicated to Myah.
"A few months after we lost Myah, Lucy shared a quote with me about grandparents grieving twice, once for their grandchild and once for the pain that they cannot take away from their own child. This really resonated with me and had quite an impact. ‘Myah bear’, one of the bears which Lucy kept from the Sands memory box they were given, goes everywhere with them, along with a special candle, so we can include her and remember her in our family life.
"So, when a colleague passed information to me about the Knit for Sands initiative, I knew I could do something positive using my skills as a long-time knitter to help others. I spoke with a colleague who I had met at another volunteering activity, as I knew she was an avid crocheter, and suggested we could team up to make some blankets for the Sands memory boxes. She was really enthusiastic about this, so we shared this as a volunteering opportunity on our internal volunteering pages online to see if other colleagues wanted to join us too.
"As Centrica provide 15 hours of volunteering time for every member of staff to get involved in their employee ‘the big difference’ initiative, we launched our volunteer knitting group at the company’s site in Windsor in May 2023, with myself coordinating the group. We have a number of people who regularly contribute their time to create these precious blankets and recently celebrated our millionth stitch which was included in the 37th blanket we donated to Sands.
"We meet sometimes as a group, to knit in the building atrium, by the canteen, where we can chat whilst we craft. I often wear my Sands t-shirt with Myah’s name on, as it can be a helpful conversation starter and I have shared my own experience with some colleagues over the past year as well. I love how volunteering as part of ‘the big difference’ helps me and inspires others to get involved; the common goal of supporting bereaved families is bringing people together at work.
"In total, so far, the Sands Windsor have knitted and crocheted 55 blankets. Each one crafted with dedicated time and care. We have more colleagues asking to join our group, including graduates, with some asking if we can help them learn to knit or crochet so they can volunteer with us. The cause resonates with people, and it is a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to give back for the support that my daughter and wife both receive from Sands.
"I find knitting provides a quiet, contemplative space where I can share the love I have for Myah and my family into each stitch, hopefully to let other bereaved families know they are not alone and there is love out there; that they are seen and cared about.
"Knowing that each blanket is going to have a positive impact to others is lovely and the way my knitting helps me to connect with colleagues in a quiet and comfortable way outside of our work roles is a benefit for me and my well being too."
Martin Euden, Bereaved Grandpa
"It’s part of my experience and every mention of Myah through my volunteering means she is never forgotten."