Midwife running for bereaved parents

A MIDWIFE at Ipswich Hospital is today preparing to pound the streets of London to the rhythm of live music in aid of a cause close to her heart.

A year ago, Sharon Edwards launched an initiative to help parents who have suffered the death of a newborn baby or have endured a miscarriage.

The Late Pregnancy, Still Birth and Baby Loss support group has helped a number of grieving mums and dads come to terms with their loss, providing them with an arena to talk to others facing similar heartache.

In a bid to raise funds for the charity, Mrs Edwards has signed up to run the Sony Ericsson Run to the Beat half marathon in Greenwich on September 27.

Live music courtesy of 16 bands will be played around the 13.1 mile course to help joggers reach the finish line.

Mrs Edwards, of Nayland Road, Felixstowe, said: “I wanted to do something to raise some money and, as I am a huge music fan and love live bands, this seemed ideal.

“Whenever runners are flagging, we will have the music to get us through.”

The 45-year-old said the idea for the bereavement initiative came in 2006 when she and her colleagues felt there was a shortage of support for parents who had lost a baby.

“We can't counsel but we can offer couples or individuals a place to talk about things,” said Mrs Edwards, who has been a midwife for 20 years.

“The dreadful thing about bereavement is the hush-hush aspect. It can leave people feeling so alone.

“We offer an arena where parents can talk about whatever they want with people who have been through the same thing.”

The Late Pregnancy, Still Birth and Baby Loss support group is holding a charity ball later this year. Any businesses who would like to donate raffle prizes are asked to call Mrs Edwards on 01394 670555.

Have you been affected by infant bereavement? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk