With 13 babies dying every day in the UK, it's likely that at least one family in your school will have personally been affected - probably even more.
Help us break the silence around baby loss by opening up the conversation and getting your school fundraising for Sands.
Why should we help?
Sadly, every year in the UK, an estimated 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and over 4,500 babies are stillborn or die within the first 4 weeks of life. Sands is a charity supporting research to lower this number, training healthcare professionals to provide better maternity and bereavement care, campaigning for changes to policy, and, when the very worst does happen, ensuring there is support for anyone affected by this most tragic of loss.
As part of the invaluable work Sands do, we are currently developing a suite of resources for children grieving the loss of a sibling following baby or pregnancy loss, to improve their mental health outcomes, and to help all children understand baby loss.
Our first release of resources for bereaved siblings are available here.
And more resources for schools and pupils are on the way soon, so that all pupils, some of whom are likely, given how common baby loss is, to have experienced this loss, or sadly will in the future, have the language and understanding to process their feelings and support their peers.
Sands needs your support to ensure they can continue this work.
How should I talk about Sands and baby loss?
It can be hard to know the right thing to say when talking about baby loss to younger people.
You also might find that it brings up emotions or grief within yourself that can feel difficult to manage.
We have some advice that might be helpful here.
Our trained bereavement support team on our helpline are here to help, whether you need advice on how to talk about Sands and our work to younger children, or need to reach out for support yourself. You can reach them by emailing helpline@sands.org.uk or calling 0808 164 3332.
You might also want to know how to support a colleague who has experienced losing a baby. You can sign your staff team up for our Bereavement in the Workplace training here.
What help can you provide?
Whether you need banners and balloons, guidance on what to say about Sands in your school assembly or help turning your idea into a reality, our friendly fundraising team are here to chat.
Get in touch by completing this form here or drop us an email to fundraising@sands.org.uk
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024
During this year’s Baby Loss Awareness Week, you can help us raise awareness and funds to ensure that siblings who have lost a brother or sister get the support they need and deserve.
Between 9th-15th October, your school can stand with Sands to break the silence around baby loss by hosting a Wear Pink and Blue day.
Pupils can come dressed wearing pink and/or blue and make a £1 donation. Email fundraising@sands.org.uk if you would like to register your school, every school will receive a certificate on completion.
Fundraising Ideas
Whether you're a parent, teacher or student, you can get your school involved. By choosing to support Sands, you can make sure we are here for bereaved families so that no one has to go through losing a baby alone.
If the ideas above don't work for your school, there’s so many other things you could do to raise funds, so whether you fancy planning one of our tried and tested events below or using your imagination and coming up with something totally unique, we will support you every step of the way.
Get in touch and complete this form here or drop us an email to fundraising@sands.org.uk
Dress Down Day's
Non-school uniform days can be a really simple way to raise money. Whether you simply ask children to wear what they like, wear orange and blue for Sands or dress up as the fundraising superhero's they are! A dress down day is great fun.
Bake for Sands
Raise some dough by organising a bake sale in the playground. We’ve got everything you knead to make it a success, from posters, menus and invites to edible cake toppers.
Christmas fundraising
Whether you have a collection at the door of the nativity or carol concert, a stall at the Christmas fair or get everyone to don their Christmas jumpers for the day, there’s lots of opportunities to fundraise at the most wonderful time of the year!
My Marathon My Way
There’s few things as memorable as running a marathon but little legs might not be up for it all in one go! Take on 26.2 miles with your class your own way. You could do it in one day and add up everyone’s distance until you get to 26.2 miles, or you could aim for everyone to run the full distance over a term.
Ready to get going? Let us know by completing this form here or drop us an email to fundraising@sands.org.uk