Families who have suffered the death of a baby relived one of the most harrowing journeys in their lives in a bid to ease the pain future bereaved parents will face.

On Saturday, more than 20 members of stillbirth and neonatal death charity SANDS came together for the Little Footprints walk. The walk, to raise money for a new bereavement suite, started at the Great Western Hospital and ended at Kingsdown Crematorium.

There they released balloons in remembrance of their babies.

At the moment, mothers who lose a child before term or during labour are returned to GWH’s maternity ward among other families celebrating their new arrivals.

The group has so far raised £20,000 to kit out a new ‘bereavement suite’.

The suite, due to open this autumn, would offer parents the space to grieve away from the main ward.

Rebecca Porter, 21, lost her sister 16 years ago and is part of the charity with her mother Julie Greenwood.

“We lost my sister at 22 weeks and my mum felt isolated,” said Rebecca. “It was the worst thing in the world for her to be there on the ward with all the other mums and listening to their babies crying.”

Cathy Milburn, 38, who lost a son seven years ago, said: “The walk represents our journey. It’s about us meeting along the way, offering support and remembering our babies.”

To make a donation go to justgiving.com/swindonsandswalk