Daniela R-D

I’m taking on the Sands Crocheting Challenge 💜

Content warning: infant loss and bereavement

In 2026 I am committing to crocheting as many baby blankets as I can for Sands Memory Boxes.

Sands Memory boxes are part of the bereavement care for parents following the death of their baby shortly before, during or after birth. The boxes contain items that "help families to establish a positive connection with their babies by recording details, creating physical evidence of their babies' lives, and helping to forge a parental bond that will endure after saying goodbye."

The blankets I crochet will be used in memory boxes for bereaved parents, and the funds I raise on this platform will go directly to Sands to support all of their important work.

"Sands ensure that everyone affected by the loss of a baby gets the support they need and deserve when facing the toughest of times. They campaign for change, provide training for midwives and healthcare professionals, and support research so that fewer babies die and so that less families experience the tragedy of losing their baby." And while this is an issue that can affect anyone from any background, it is also an issue of social and racial injustice that disproportionately affects marginalised people. In the UK, Black babies are more than twice as likely to be stillborn as white babies, and babies born to Black women have the highest rates of mortality every year. Sands are committed to campaigning, advocating and researching ways to combat this injustice and the overall rate of neonatal deaths in the UK, as well as support all new parents through their grief.

Any support and donations are really appreciated - and if you knit or crochet, have a look at how you can take part in the challenge or donate your own handmade blankets. There are knitting and crochet patterns and guidelines available on the Sands website, and you don't need to be officially participating in the challenge to donate blankets.

Thank you,

Dani

(statistics from Sands UK)