Baby loss parents decorate Saltburn pier with ribbons

White ribbons can be tied to the railings until Monday 16 October

Ribbons with names and messages written on them are being tied to a pier by parents who have lost children.

The display at Saltburn-by-the-Sea has been arranged as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Lottie King, who set up the Leo's Neonatal charity to provide support for families, said she hoped it would bring "comfort" and "time to think".

Families have been invited to tie a ribbon to the pier, with the display remaining until 16 October.

"This week brings a huge amount of emotions for so many families in so many ways," said Ms King.

"We hope families will find comfort in tying the ribbons on the pier, and being able to have some time to think of their little one by the sea."

Women from the borough's Family Hubs say they can offer support to families

Ms King named her charity after one of her twin babies, who died when he was just hours-old.

She found there was a lack of mental health support for parents.

Her specialist support was commissioned by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (NTHF) and she also runs a perinatal baby loss service for families in Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough.

The charity was awarded a Prime Minister's Points of Light accolade for its work in providing care and support during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms King said families who feel isolated and alone should know "there's a whole community of us out there waiting with open arms to walk alongside them".

Posters on the pier advise families where they can go for support

The Saltburn display has been organised by Leo's and Redcar and Cleveland Family Hubs.

Redcar's cabinet member for children, Councillor Luke Myer, said: "It's so important that we do anything we can to support these families, and this excellent service, provided by such dedicated people, is a key way we can improve our offer."

The ribbons will be displayed on the pier for a week and families who want to keep their ribbon are asked to collect them before Monday 16 October.

After that date, members of Leo's will them take them down and "keep them safe".

The BBC Action line has more details of organisations offering advice and support.