FAQs

Starlight Walk is a heartfelt commemorative event taking place in multiple locations across the UK. We invite you to walk under the stars in memory of all the much-loved and deeply missed babies gone too soon.

You can join a Starlight Walk near you, host your own with family and friends, or take part virtually—wherever feels most meaningful to you.

Fundraising for your Starlight Walk isn’t essential—but it makes a powerful difference. Every pound raised helps us save babies’ lives and support bereaved families when they need it most.

If you’re not fundraising, we’d be incredibly grateful if you’d consider making a donation. You can do this directly through your fundraising page or via our website.

Whether you choose to fundraise or not, by taking part you’re helping to raise vital awareness and break the silence around baby loss. Thank you for walking with us.

Packs will be sent out from 9 September. Please allow up to 10 working days for this to arrive.

Your Starlight Walk pack includes:

• A welcome letter
• A card of dedication, where you can write the name of a loved one who shines brightly forever in your heart
• A lantern and tea light to light your way

If you're attending one of our in-person events, please remember to complete the emergency contact details on the back of your card of dedication.

Yes, you can purchase additional packs from our online shop here.

If there isn’t a Starlight Walk event near you, you can still take part by registering to host your own or by signing up for our virtual Starlight Walk. This gives you the flexibility to walk in a location and on a date that’s most meaningful to you.

Once you’ve registered, you can create a team from your personal dashboard.

Just log in to your account, go to your fundraising page, and click the ‘Create a Team’ button. From there, you can set up your team and share the team name or link with others so they can join you.

To join an existing team, simply visit a team member’s fundraising page and click ‘Join Us’ next to their profile photo.

If others are having trouble joining your team, you may need to update your team settings.

If you created the team, log into your profile and go to your team page. Click ‘Edit Team Page’ and make sure ‘Yes’ is selected under ‘Allow anyone to join my team’.

Prefer to keep your group private? Click ‘Team Members’, copy the private invite link, and share it directly with your friends and family.

You can register to host your own Starlight Walk with friends and family. Simply choose a location, route, date, and time that works for you—then invite your loved ones to walk alongside you. Once you sign up, we’ll send you a pack with everything you need to get started. Be sure to visit our website for helpful tips and inspiration!

If you're part of a Sands volunteer group and would like to organise a Starlight Walk with your group, please visit our website and email us at starlightwalk@sands.org.uk.

The Edinburgh Starlight Walk follows a 6k route around Holyrood Park.

Registration opens at 3pm at the South Hall Complex, University of Edinburgh, EH16 5AR. The walk begins at 4pm, taking participants from South Hall into Holyrood Park, around Arthur’s Seat, and back to South Hall.

At the end of the walk, you’ll receive a Starlight Walk medal and light refreshments.

Free car parking is available at the Pollock Halls of Residence Campus, but spaces are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

Additional on-street parking is available nearby, and the closest public car park is Easi-Parks at 62 St Leonards Street, Newington EH8 9SW.

The Bristol Starlight Walk follows a 5km route through the scenic Ashton Court Estate.

Registration opens at 3pm at the Arts Mansion, Ashton Court Estate, BS41 9JN. The walk begins at 4pm, taking participants from the Arts Mansion into the estate and back again.

At the end of the walk, you’ll receive a Starlight Walk medal and light refreshments.

The nearest car park to the start line is Mansion Car Park. Overflow parking is available at Church Lodge Car Park, just a short walk from the Arts Mansion.

Please note that both car parks are chargeable.

The Leeds Starlight Walk takes participants on a 5km route through the beautiful surroundings of Roundhay Park.

Registration opens at 3pm at The Mansion, Roundhay Park, LS8 2HH. The walk begins at 4pm, guiding walkers from The Mansion through the park and around the lakes, before returning to The Mansion.

At the end of the walk, participants will receive a Starlight Walk medal and light refreshments.

There are five car parks at Roundhay Park, all within a short walking distance of The Mansion.

Sands has volunteer groups across the UK, and some have chosen to host their own Starlight Walk events. These walks are organised and run by our incredible volunteers, with support from Sands in the lead-up to the event. On the night, the events are fully managed by the volunteer teams themselves.

Norfolk Sands volunteer group are hosting a Starlight Walk on Saturday 12 October. Registration is from 6:30pm at Whitlingham Flint Barn,Whitlingham Country Park, NR14 8TR where you can enjoy a soup and roll before your walk. The 3k walk begins at 7.30pm and will take you around Whitlingham Broad.

Clacton-on-Sea Sands volunteer group are hosting a Starlight Walk on Saturday 29 November. Registration is from 5:30pm at Clacton on Sea Bowling Club, Marine Parade W, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1XB. The 5km route will take you from The Bowling Club, along Clacton Seafront and Promenade return The Bowling Club for refreshments.

If you're part of a Sands volunteer group and would like to host a Starlight Walk with your group, please visit our website and email us at starlightwalk@sands.org.uk.

Not part of a Sands group? No problem—you can still host your own Starlight Walk with friends and family. Simply choose a location, route, date, and time that works for you, and invite your loved ones to join you. Once registered, we’ll send you a pack with everything you need to get started.

Visit our website for top tips and inspiration to help you plan your walk.

We’re encouraging all virtual Starlight Walk participants to complete their 5km or 10km walk on Sunday 7 December.

However, if that date doesn’t work for you, feel free to complete your walk whenever it suits you best. Every step you take helps raise awareness and honours the memory of babies gone too soon.

Yes—join hundreds of others in our supportive online community here.

If you're taking part in the virtual Starlight Walk and raise £150 or more by 24 December, we'll send you a bespoke Starlight Walk medal to celebrate your achievement.

No, there’s no need to submit proof—we trust our amazing participants to complete their Starlight Walk in whatever way works best for them.

We’d love it if you could share a photo on social media once you’ve completed your walk to help raise awareness and show your support.