THE Inner Wheel Club of Altrincham has been supporting a little known charity SANDS (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Support) by knitting baby blankets for bereaved parents and families who lose a child at birth.

Helen Lamerton, Inner Wheel district chairman, lost her first grandchild, who was stillborn at Wythenshawe Hospital. The family was given considerable support by staff who were specially trained in bereavement care and had a separate suite, the Snowdrop Suite, to help bereaved parents.

They were introduced to SANDS charity who produce booklets for bereaved families, also available online, and provide memory boxes for parents with a soft hand knitted blanket and a kit to take baby hand and foot prints.

Often parents of very premature babies arrive at hospital without a baby blanket. Fifty blankets made by members of Inner Wheel District have been handed over to SANDS anchester and will be distributed to several hospitals.

The supply does not meet the need as there are 15 stillbirths or neonatal deaths each day and 150 last year at St Mary's. Check out www.manchester-sands.org.uk for more info.