With over 17 babies stillborn or dying shortly after birth every day in the UK, Portsmouth Sands (the stillbirth & neonatal death charity) is on a mission to build a remembrance garden at Portchester Memorial Gardens. This will be a place where parents and their families can have some peaceful time in beautiful surroundings to remember their babies.
To kick start the fundraising, the group is planning a Winter Ball, to be held on Saturday 15th November 2014 at the Best Western Royal Beach Hotel, Portsmouth. The hotel is very kindly donating the use of a lovely function room totally free of charge.
Karren Whitren, Chairwoman of Portsmouth Sands, “We are very grateful to Portchester Memorial Gardens for donating an area called "little springs" for this new memorial garden. They will be also be doing the landscaping for us.
“We do however need to raise money to make this a beautiful focal point for families and their relatives, by placing a memorial barbican in the garden where parents can purchase a plaque with many designs to choose from with the wording of their choice for their baby, a beautiful bench and other items. We are delighted to able to host this charity ball later in the year in order to do this.”
The Winter Ball will provide a great night’s entertainment with the evening’s line up including; DJ, a hot buffet and a raffle with some great prizes. Karren says, “We just need everyone to come along and have a great night out, knowing funds raised will be used to create a very special place.”
The group are also calling on the goodwill of individuals and businesses to donate prizes for the raffle.
The ball begins at 7pm for a 7.45 sit down buffet. Tickets are priced at £25 each. Dress code is smart /casual. For further information about the Winter Ball or to purchase tickets please contact Karren Whitren on 07770888974. To make a donation towards the new memorial garden see https://www.justgiving.com/Karren-Whitren1/
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Winter Ball is being held at the Best Western Royal Beach Hotel, St Helens Parade, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 0RN.