‘People don’t talk about it because it upsets you’ – Memorial Service to shine a light on those taken too soon

A moving tribute to babies who never got the chance to sparkle for long enough will shine a light on their lives this weekend. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Little Stars Baby Memorial Service will take place at St Asaph Cathedral on Sunday July 2, with parents encouraged to light a candle set in a star for their lost loved one. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The annual event, formerly held at the Marble Church in Bodelwyddan, gives parents the chance to remember their child, alongside others who have endured similar experiences. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Remembering is something which one attendee, Rebekah Woodcraft, strongly believes is important. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Her daughter Katie was found to have severe hydrocephalus and spina bifida at a routine 30-week scan in 2004. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It set in chain a heartrending experience which stays with her to this day. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Fighting back tears, Rebekah said: “She wouldn’t have survived and I had to give birth to her in Glan Clwyd Hospital. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“She would have been 19 years old on June 14 and it still affects me. People don’t talk about it because it upsets you. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“When people ask how many children I have do I say one or two? But I think it’s better people ask these questions. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Some people just hide it away and that’s fine but I think it’s better to talk about it. Katie was still born but she still lived – she’s buried at the Marble Church in Bodelwyddan.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Being able to speak with other parents with similar experiences at the Little Stars Baby Memorial Service is something which gives comfort to her family. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

She said: “The service is lovely and you meet other parents in the same position as you. My mum and dad come – and my daughter Alice. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“She knows she has got a sister and, when her friends ask, she says she has one sister.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Rebekah will always shine a light on little Katie’s short stay. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

She said: “I will be lighting a candle on that Sunday.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Little Stars Baby Memorial Service will be held at St. Asaph Cathedral on Sunday July 2, 2022, at 5pm. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

*The service is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby or a child. It is open to all, of any faith or belief, and provides an opportunity for parents, family and friends to come together and unite in remembrance. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​