Sands is a national charity, established to provide help and support to all those affected by the loss of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. It does this through a network of local groups, of which Tunbridge Wells Sands is one. The Tunbridge Wells group offers support to all those in the local area affected by the loss of a much-loved baby. It offers monthly support group meetings, as well as one-to-one befriending by Sands members.
Founded in 1978, Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need.
Tunbridge Wells Sands raised the funds to pay for the furnishing of the Hope Butler Suite at Pembury Hospital, a private suite of rooms within the maternity area for the use of parents who suffer the tragedy of a stillbirth or neonatal loss.
The group also provides memory boxes to bereaved parents, containing special items to help them remember the brief, precious time they spend with their treasured baby. It also works closely with medical professionals in the local area to improve the care of bereaved parents, both during and after their hospital stay.
In addition to providing support, Tunbridge Wells Sands members facilitated the construction of the Babies’ and Children’s Memorial Garden, in the grounds of the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells.
CooperBurnett involves the whole team when selecting a charity to support. Suggestions are sought, a short list is created and a vote is taken. Once a charity is chosen, the firm’s charity committee, consisting of Katie Hilsdon, Gareth Warner and Lisa Connolly, drives the fundraising.
“Supporting a charity has become key to our philosophy at CooperBurnett and it’s been something which has brought us together more closely as a team over the years,” says Victoria Sampson, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial Services at CooperBurnett. “We recognise the enormous support which Sands gives families, and our charity committee is busy thinking of our next big challenge to raise vital funds for and awareness about the charity. Over recent years we’ve completed the Three Peaks Challenge and cycled from London to Paris in 24 hours, so watch this space.”
Susy Gould-Obiora, Senior Corporate and Trusts Fundraiser at Sands (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity), says: “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone at CooperBurnett who nominated Sands as their charity of the year. We are very grateful for their support. The funds CooperBurnett will be raising will make a huge difference to the services we provide. We will be able to ensure that we can continue to fund vital research into the reasons why babies die and support anyone affected by the death of a baby.”
