A special candle-lit service is to take place at Royal Bolton Hospital for people to come together to mark the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week and to remember the lives of babies who have died.

The annual ‘Wave of Light’ ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 15, in the hospital’s Baby Memorial Garden.

Anyone is welcome to join the service and to light a candle in memory of babies who have died.

Reverend Catherine Binns, deputy head chaplain at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Each year, our Wave of Light service aims to provide a safe space for people to come and reflect, remember, and to find hope.

“If you have been affected by baby loss, please know that you are not alone and that we are always here for you.

“We’ll have staff in attendance on the evening to provide support, whether that’s practical or if you would like to talk to us and share your story.”

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Those who want to attend can arrive from 6.45pm ahead of the service starting at 7pm.

Battery-lit candles will be handed out to those who are attending, which can be left to glow in the garden to honour the lives of babies.

Anyone unable to join the service in-person can join the virtual Wave of Light by taking a photo of their candle and posting it on social media using the ‘#WaveOfLight’ hashtag at 7pm.

In order to make sure the garden looks the best it can, the hospital trust says it is planning a garden tidy on Sunday, October 13 from 1pm.

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Catherine said: “We’re looking for volunteers to help on the day, so if you have a spare hour two, we would love for you to join us.”

The global ‘Wave of Light’ marks the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which takes place from Wednesday, October 9 to Wednesday, October 16, and is an opportunity to bring communities together to give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.

Anyone who wants more information about attending the service or would like support with the garden tidy should contact the hospital at the email address babygarden@boltonft.nhs.uk.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.