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A forgotten patch of neglected land will become a peaceful haven for parents who have lost a child.
The charity Making Miracles is creating a baby memorial garden for families who have suffered an early miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death.
Every parent who would like to be involved will be invited to have a pebble or slate tile in their baby’s name and there may also be an opportunity for the scattering of ashes and burials to take place in the future.
Kelly Wells set up Making Miracles after her daughter Summer was born with a rare condition. The charity helps families through high risk and life threatening pregnancies, premature births and the loss of a baby.
The charity is now appealing for local companies to come forward to help transform the forgotten patch of land in St Margaret’s Street, Rochester, into a tranquil garden.
They are hoping to organise a DIY SOS-style get-together of trades and hope volunteers will come forward to offer their support.
Kelly said: “We really hope the local community will come on board and provide their services for this very special project, whether it is a personal donation of time and products or a business supplying items at cost price we really want to hear from them. This project will be created by the community for the community.”
She added: “When you lose a baby before 24 weeks there is no legal obligation to bury or register the baby, many parents we have met through our support group have felt that their children are just forgotten and there is no closure or resting place for them to go and visit – we hope to bridge that feeling and provide somewhere they can come, remember and celebrate their babies.”
Making Miracles has been working with the Medway Messenger’s charity of the year, Abigail’s Footsteps which aims to provide better support for parents who have lost a child at birth.
The land, which is owned by Rochester Cathedral, is in an overgrown and poor state and a full site clearance is now being planned. Making Miracles is asking for construction companies, landscape companies, garden designers and garden suppliers or garden centres to get in touch if they can help.
The charity would also to hear from people who can help with sculptures, water features and summer houses.
Email Kelly@makingmiracles.org.uk. More information at www.makingmiracles.org.uk