Baby loss charity brings global service of remembrance to Oxford

The Mariposa Trust’s ‘Saying Goodbye’ services are for families, couples and individuals affected by the loss of a baby, whether that be during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.

The charity has just celebrated its 10th anniversary and will be returning to Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford to run a ‘Saying Goodbye’ service on July 8 at 1pm.

READ MORE: Popular bakery to close as firm goes into administration

The services are open to people of faith or no faith and are uplifting and moving events filled with music, poems, acts of remembrance and more.

Over the years, the services have been attended by thousands of people, who have found healing and solace by taking part, just like Kathryn from Oxford.

She explained: “My water’s broke when we were visiting my parents and just about to head out for a walk on the beach.

“I was at 35 weeks, and we were excited to welcome Lexi into the world, though it was a few weeks too early, we weren’t overly concerned, having previously delivered my son at 29 weeks, who is now a healthy 9-year-old.

“We spoke to the local hospital, and they said to come in for a check-up as I had a cervical stitch insitu.

“The check-up was fine and so we drove back to Oxford so that our consultant team could organise for removal of the stitch.

“I had a few days in hospital to monitor for infection and then I was discharged home. When the contractions started a few hours later, we were full of excitement.

“It was only in hospital that our lives were turned upside down, and we heard the dreaded words ‘I’m so sorry, there is no heartbeat.’

“Lexi was delivered a few hours later. She looked perfect.

“We kept willing her to ‘wake up’ and could not comprehend how we were ever going to survive this and how we were going to break it to our other children and our families.

“We had a meeting with our consultant weeks later who informed us Lexi died from congenital pneumonia caused by Group B Strep, which is not currently tested for in the UK.

“Since then we have frequently accessed support from Saying Goodbye.

READ MORE: Plan for block of flats rejected by council for being 'too large'

“We are grateful for the opportunity the service will give us to be in the presence of so many others, who like us, want the recognition that Lexi’s and their children’s lives matter and should not be forgotten, in a world that moves on so quickly, for parents like us missing their children is a pain we feel every single day.”

The Mariposa Trust was set up by Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates who have experienced the loss of five babies.

Zoe said: "Our services are a wonderful opportunity for mothers, fathers, siblings and extended family to say goodbye to their babies and show they are truly loved they are.

“Our job at the Mariposa Trust is to ensure every child is recognised, however fleeting their existence.”