Maldon is to light up blue and pink in October in recognition of Baby Loss Awareness Week, as local businesses show support to families who have suffered baby loss.

Baby Loss Awareness week, October 9 to 15, aims to raise awareness and bring communities together to end the stigma of child loss.

Now in its 22nd year, the cause aims to get people talk about their loved ones and lost babies, as well as pushing for change and improvements in care for those who suffer the loss of a baby, either during pregnancy, during labour, or shortly after birth.

Now in its fourth year of marking the week, Maldon will once again be lighting up in pink & blue.

Local couple Abby & Dave Ridgewell began the tradition in 2020, after losing their own son Max at one day old in November 2019.

They arrange for a number of local Churches and landmarks to be lit with pink & blue floodlights, including All Saints Church, The Maeldune Heritage Centre and The Moot Hall on Maldon High Street.

Many local businesses also put up pink & blue lights to show support to families.

The window display at 3 High Street Maldon during Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023. (Credit: Dave Ridgewell)

A window display of babies names on pink, blue & white hearts will also be displayed for the week in the window of William H Brown Estate Agency on Maldon High Street, where Dave is the manager.

There will also be a sponsored 'Ribbon run' on October 12, where people can come together to run, walk or jog and remember their babies and honour those who have lost.

The run, organised by another local couple after losing their baby son, aims to raise money for Sands - a charity doing vital research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

For more information or to have your loved and lost babies name(s) added to the special window display you can visit the "Baby Loss Awareness Maldon" Facebook page, or email [email protected].