Bags of Sunshine

Losing a child is one of the most heartbreaking things any parent can go through. In the moments after that loss, it can feel like the world stops. Parents leave the hospital not only without their child, but with empty arms and broken hearts.

Each year, around 3,500 families in the UK face the devastating loss of a child. In those early days, when grief is at its rawest, many parents are left feeling completely alone. There’s often very little support available straight away, and even less that feels personal or meaningful.

This year, in partnership with the charity Imagine This, we will launch the Bags of Sunshine project. These care packages are designed to bring a small bit of comfort to parents in the early days after the death of a child.

The project will launch in the North West of England, starting with 100 Bags of Sunshine to be delivered to bereaved families at hospitals, including Salford Royal Hospital, where Freddie passed away.
Each Bag of Sunshine will include:

• A weighted soft toy to help ease the emptiness many parents feel in their arms.
• A cooling face mask and lip balm to soothe tired, tearful faces.
• A candle to light in memory of the child.
• A notebook and pen for writing down thoughts or letters to their child, something many parents find helpful.
• Wildflower seeds to plant in memory of their child, bringing new life from loss.
• Fidget toy to help with anxiety and restlessness.
• A signed poem by Donna Ashworth

The items were chosen with great care, based on input from bereaved parents and experienced bereavement nurses. Each one serves a purpose, to bring a moment of peace, comfort, or connection during a time that can feel impossibly heavy.

The Bags of Sunshine will also contain information on grief, where to find emotional support, and details of crisis helplines.
This project begins with 100 bags, 100 families, and 100 chances to offer comfort, even in the darkest moments.