Members of a Bradford support group are raising awareness about the help they can offer to families who have lost babies.

Bradford SANDS (Still-birth & Neonatal Death Society) and Miscarriage Bereave-ment Support group meets once a month offering support to anyone who has lost a baby during or after pregnancy.

Midwives and nursing staff are present at meetings to offer advice along with people who have suffered the loss of a baby and who can speak about how they felt and offer comfort to those who have experienced such a distressing event recently.

In National SANDS Awareness Week, which began on Saturday, members who have been helped in the past will try to raise the group's profile and encourage anyone who feels they would benefit to go along.

"We just want to say that we are there to offer help and support for newly bereaved parents who have lost their baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or other means," said group member Nicola Murray, 33, of Wrose, whose first baby, a boy, was still-born 26 weeks into her pregnancy. Nicola is pictured with her children Charlie, nine months, Joseph, four, and Ethan, three.

The group meets on the last Thursday of every month from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the administrative corridor at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

For details, ring Bereavement Support Midwife Alex Horsfall on (01274) 364911 or contact Nicola on (01274) 614866.