Ann Chalmers with the Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman, Imogen Jones and Jacob May, whose families contributed to the book in memory of their siblings Lewie Jones and Benny May.

A group of parents who have lived through the death of their child, have told of their experiences in a new book ‘Farewell, My Child'. It was launched on Tuesday 19th February at the House of Lords to mark the Child Bereavement Charity's first annual  "Remember, Remember on Mother's Day" campaign.

The aim of this campaign is to highlight the significance and importance of Mother's Day for families where a child or mother has died. It will raise awareness of the difficulties faced by mums and dads whose child has died, and by children without a mum. The charity is asking all of us to stop for a moment and remember the bereaved, for whom this day can be particularly painful.

The charity's new book "Farewell My Child' has been launched at the beginning of its Mother's Day campaign. It is a collection of over 25 stories about life after the death of a child, as told in the first person by parents and siblings.

Countess Mountbatten, the charity's Honorary President, has contributed to the book, recounting her own personal experience of the death of her twin son Nicholas, and CBC Patron Will Greenwood and his wife Caro talk about the death of their firstborn baby son, Freddie.

The families involved range from those who have lost babies - including through the trauma of failed IVF - to those who have experienced the death of adult children; from those whose child died in the last few months to those whose child died over 20 years ago; from those who lost an only baby or child to those who have lost more than one of their children; and from those where the death was sudden to those where the death was anticipated.

The book also includes sections on coping with loss and where families may find sources of support.

The book has been made possible by the families of Liam Logue and Ellen Poll, to whom "Farewell, My Child" is dedicated. They have fundraised tirelessly to raise the money needed to produce this important resource.

Ann Chalmers, Chief Executive of CBC said, "We have learned how important it is to parents to have the death of their child acknowledged. Through reading the moving accounts in this book we can all begin to have a greater understanding of the experiences and feelings of bereaved families. It will be an invaluable resource for everyone touched by the death of a child."

The Child Bereavement Charity provides specialised information, support and training to all those affected when a baby or child dies or when a child is bereaved. By learning continuously from children and parents, CBC leads the way in improving the quality of care offered by professionals to grieving families, both in the immediate crisis and following the death of someone important in their lives.

To order the book please call 01494 446648, via our website by clicking here [0] or email enquiries@childbereavement.org.uk [1]

For further information or an interview with one of the families involved please contact Clare Cook on 07970 002142.

Photos: Professional Images, UK Editorial & PR Photographers [2]