A memorial tree dedicated to babies lost before, during, or shortly after birth has been established in Hylands Park, Hornchurch, by the support group Love Leo. The initiative, which involved significant community efforts, features a plaque and the names of 66 babies. Leanne Pether, a founder of Love Leo, described the memorial as a source of comfort and awareness, helping to reduce stigma around baby loss. She noted the isolation felt after losing her baby, and the importance of peer support in healing.
Around one in four pregnancies in the UK end in some form of baby loss - including miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death - according to pregnancy and baby charity Tommy's.
Leanne Pether stated, 'For parents like us it just means the world - firstly to have our babies' names seen, said and remembered, but also to raise awareness in the community.'
Leanne Pether shared, 'We felt incredibly isolated and alone,' after losing her son Leo shortly after birth in August 2023.
The Love Leo support group aimed to alleviate the isolation felt by parents experiencing baby loss by creating a network of peer support.
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