A HIGH street is set to light up in a bid to raise awareness after a grieving couple’s newborn baby died after complications during childbirth.
Dave and Abby Ridgewell are asking Maldon High Street businesses to light up in pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week, which starts on October 9.
Abby, 33, gave birth to the couple’s second son, Max, in November 2019.
She had a full term pregnancy with no issues.
But during labour, the umbilical cord became trapped and despite doctors doing all they could, Max had suffered serious brain damage.
He was resuscitated several times and placed on life support but dad Dave, 37, says after the first night it became apparent Max wouldn’t make it.
He sadly died the following day.
Dave said: “Our lives and that of our families and our older son Jake have been forever changed since.”
Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) is dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging more people to talk about baby loss.
Dave said: “The reality is that one in four pregnancies ends in loss, be that during pregnancy or after the baby is born as with Max, but despite this most people would shy away from discussing the subject, which leaves families who have suffered a loss feeling very isolated.
“Throughout the week from October 9 to October 15, BLAW seeks to change this by lighting up businesses and landmarks in pink and blue lights.
“This aims to act as a conversation starter to get people talking and allow families who have suffered the loss of a baby the chance to commemorate and honour them.
“Last year my office, William H Brown estate agents on Maldon High Street, did a special window display inviting families who have lost babies to have their baby’s name and dates on pink, blue or white ribbons.
“We received more than 150 responses, proving the point that this affects a great many people in our local community.”
This year the couple are going to do something similar with hearts instead of ribbons, and are encouraging even more businesses to take part in lighting up the high street.
Dave said: “The hope is that as you drive down Maldon High Street it will be impossible to ignore the lights, creating a real buzz and encouraging those conversations to start.”
All Saints’ Church and the Moot Hall are among the buildings lighting up as they did last year, along with a growing number of businesses.
For more information, go to babyloss-awareness.org.
Read more: Grieving parents light up town in memory of baby Max
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