Nowton Park Bury St Edmunds West Suffolk Sands statue launch

West Suffolk Sands, a charity that supports bereaved families after the loss of a baby, unveiled the wooden statue next to a memorial bench in Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds.

The ceremony took place from 2pm on Saturday and Jessica Rudd, from West Sufolk Sands, said: "The bench and memorial are in memory of all the precious babies gone too soon.

The charity group at the unveiling (Image: Andy Abbott) "We hope this will provide a special place for families, for them to be able to take time to sit and remember their much loved baby or babies, while feeling comforted that they are not alone."

The statue depicts a large hand holding a baby and is carved out of wood on a wooden plinth. 

The launch event also included a raffle and a special Bury St Edmunds United FC match on the astro turf pitch, which children were given the chance to take part in.

Charity supporters with the new statue (Image: Andy Abbott) The Crafty Foxes, a Bury St Edmunds based business that runs craft workshops, hosted activities for children, who were able to make a lantern or create some sand art.

West Suffolk Sands support families after the loss of a baby, whether their loss is recent or from long ago.

The new wooden statue (Image: Andy Abbott) The charity, which raised funds for the memorial, has been running for almost six years. 

The Nowton Park statue project has been some three years in the making - with the final carving described as "incredibly moving and poignant."

The moment it was unveiled (Image: Andy Abbott)

The charity hosts group meetings which offer families emotional support, comfort, and information, if their baby has died during pregnancy, at birth or soon after.

Anyone who would like any more details about the charity should email westsuffolk@sandsvolunteer.org.uk.