MORE than 80 people took part in the annual Angel’s Walk in Warrington remembering the lives of lost babies.
Walkers set off from the Maltings pub in Old Hall and continued through to the Forget Me Not baby garden at Warrington cemetery, where balloons were released to remember babies gone too soon followed by refreshments at the Grange Club.
Following a short break it was all uphill to the children’s garden at Fox Covert cemetery where more balloons were released.
The final leg saw the walkers visit the crematorium at Walton Lea baby garden where the final balloon release took place and organiser Kate Tinker from the Harry & Co charity, thanked all the participants and helpers and invited them to the Walton Arms for a very well deserved drink.
The Angels Walk is a fundraising event established by the Harry and Co charity. The main aim of the charity is to provide support facilities to help bereaved parents following the still birth or neo-natal death of their baby.
Kate said: “Our Angels’ Walk is important to us and other families as it gives those affected by the loss of a baby the opportunity to share with others their experiences and form networks of support and friendships with one another.”
As in previous years the event was very well supported with over 80 people taking part. The weather, although cold was mostly dry.
Melanie McKay ran the nine and a half mile course from the Crematorium to the Maltings and then started the walk again with the other participants.
This year the walkers were greeted by a carved oak Harry bear statue at each of the baby gardens which have recently been commissioned and installed by the charity, from funds donated by WBC Bereavement Services.
The services and facilities provided by Harry and Co. include bereaved family forums for parents and grandparents, a Facebook page for general support purposes, private, comfortable facilities for counselling, regional support provision for parents and families following the North West Palliative Care Pathway, private, non-clinical accommodation for parents and memory making facilities including hand and feet casting, photography services and memory books to name just a few.
The charity was founded by founded by Kate and Chris Tinker following the stillbirth of their son Harry at 41 weeks in May 2010.
For more information about Harry and Co please contact Kate Tinker 07917 666992 or go to www.harryandco.org
Melanie McKay completes the run – PICTURES PAUL JACKSON
The walkers prepare to set off from the Maltings at Old Hall PICTURE PAUL JACKSON
The Forget me Knot cemetery PICTURE PAUL JACKSON
One of the Harry Bear statues PICTURE PAUL JACKSON
