A remembrance tree will be installed at Belfast City Hall to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Deputy Lord Mayor councillor Michelle Kelly has arranged for a special tree to be erected in the City Hall during the course of Baby Loss Awareness Week where parents and families of those who have lost a baby will be able to place their names.
She hopes that the remembrance tree will help to break the stigma around baby loss.
Read more: Belfast mum speaks out on heartache of losing her twins born prematurely
Speaking to Belfast Live, councillor Kelly said: "There can still be a lot of stigma regarding baby loss in our society and grieving parents can often find it very difficult to say their lost baby's name aloud, especially to others. Some may have never said it before due to their grief.
"With this remembrance tree we want to give parents the opportunity to break that stigma and remember their little angels.
"I have been through my own experiences of baby loss having suffered three miscarriages and for years I found it very hard to say their names at all and it took some time before I was able to do that myself, but now I am very glad that I can.
"The tree will be available from Monday afternoon in City Hall throughout Baby Loss Awareness Week for anyone who wants to write a little message of remembrance and at the end of the week we will be reading their names allowed at the Wave of Light event on October 15."
The remembrance tree has been created with the help of baby loss charity Aching Arms, which provides comfort bears, donated by others, to bereaved parents who have lost their baby and are in need of some support.
Laura Kelly, of Aching Arms said: "Losing a baby is something that stays with you every day of your life. There is not a day that I don't think about my son and his memory will always be with me.
"Baby Loss Awareness Week is about letting people know that there should not be a stigma surrounding our losses and that it is ok for us to acknowledge them and grieve in our own ways.
"We hope that the remembrance tree will give grieving parents an opportunity to remember their baby in their own way and show them they are not alone."
Baby Loss Awareness Week runs from October 9 to 15 and will culminate in the Wave of Light, which will see City Hall and other buildings in Belfast lit up the colours pink and blue.
Those who have been impacted by baby loss can attend a small ceremony at City Hall from 7pm where candles will be lit in memory of their babies.
Councillor Kelly said: "At the Wave of Light on Saturday there will be a number of baby loss charities in attendance and we are asking those who will be joining us to bring a candle in memory of their baby.
"We will be reading some poems of reflection and finishing by reading the names that have been placed on the tree.
"If you are not able to go to City Hall to add a name to the tree, you can also do so by emailing saytheirname2022@outlook.com."
READ NEXT:
NI mum hits out at hospital for 'appalling' treatment after stillbirth of son
Belfast man reunited with sibling finds out he has little brother
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
