Wings have been lit up outside Worcester’s hospital to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.

The week is held annually from October 9 to 15, concluding with the global ‘Wave of Light’, and is in its 19th year.

This year, Worcestershire Royal Hospital honoured the occasion by lighting up a statue of wings outside the main entrance.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic guests were unable to attend the service on Friday, October 15 however EPAU (Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit) and gynaecology staff gathered to represent all the families who have suffered loss.

The design for the wings was thought by Pershore resident Alex Gibbs, husband of Emily Gibbs, a nurse on Worcester’s EPAU.

Alex said: “I designed the wings in the hope that they would help to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss. So far, we have been blown away by the response to the wings.

“People have reached out to tell us how poignant, and meaningful the wings are to them- and that is exactly the response we had hoped for. It has been a total privilege to craft these wings for such an important cause”

The wings will remain lit until Friday, October 22, and Alex added that each individual light on the wings represents a pregnancy or baby loss cared for within Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust in the past year.

Emily added: “We hope the wings spark conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families, an opportunity to talk about their precious babies.

“We hope the wings bring comfort to those affected by pregnancy and baby loss, and act as a reminder that you are not alone. We care. We remember. We stand with you”

She added: “I can’t even begin to explain how proud I am of what Alex has done.

“Alex hand crafted these wings and has spent hours tirelessly perfecting them ready for tonight.”

Further information and advice and support regarding pregnancy and baby loss can be found at https://babyloss-awareness.org/support/.