Fraser Coast Walk to Remember

All Fraser Coast residents are invited to come together to honour and remember our littlest community members who are no longer with us in person, but continue to hold a special place in our hearts and memories.

Fraser Coast residents will come together and ‘Walk to Remember’ next week. PHOTO: Supplied.

This year’s inaugural Fraser Coast Walk to Remember will provide an opportunity for parents, siblings, grandparents, family members and friends who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss to unite and share their stories in a family-friendly environment.

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The event will take place on Saturday, 15 October 2022 and will include a short memorial service, followed by an easy 600m walk starting and ending at the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre in Pialba – 22 Charles St, Pialba QLD 4655 at 9am.

Local event organisers Kristy Barbour and Angie Price told Good News Fraser Coast they are hopeful the morning would raise awareness about the support services that are available for families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss.

They’re also keen to help break the stigma around talking about pregnancy and infant loss and hope to create a comfortable environment in which people can talk about their experiences, share their own stories and be able to make connections and know they’re not alone.”

Kristy described her multiple experiences of pregnancy loss over the last 10 years, as “an extremely emotional roller-coaster”.

“I my first Walk to Remember 9-years-ago, after the birth of my first son, who was born sleeping. There I met another grieving mother who I made a lasting connection with,” she said.

“We are still in contact and are always there for each other. They say it takes a village to raise a child, however I believe it takes a community to grieve to the loss of one too.”

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Angie said she wanted to help coordinate the Fraser Coast Walk to Remember for her daughter, a sunrise baby – or surviving twin of a baby who dies in the womb.

“I find it difficult to talk about how I gave birth to two babies but was only able to bring one home. But by opening up, I find it encourages other people to share their stories. We are able to understand each other’s loss,” said Angie.

She hopes bringing the event to the Fraser Coast will help other families feel supported and understand that they are not alone but rather surrounded by love.

Kristy said October was International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

“It’s an important time for those who have experienced the devastation of pregnancy loss or the death of an infant or child,” she said.

“We hope the Fraser Coast Walk to Remember will provide the wider community with better knowledge on how to support grieving families as well as offering the families themselves an opportunity to take the steps that their child could not.”