Slough's Mayor sharing her own story in honour of babies and children 'gone too soon'

Slough’s Mayor is lending her strength, hope and support to parents who have suffered the loss of a baby or child for an event in Herschel Park this year.

Madhuri Bedi is founder of The Vishaal Foundation, a local charity set up in memory of her son, Vishaal, to support families affected by baby loss. 

The charity is holding its annual Wave of Light Service for anybody impacted by baby or child loss on the evening of Wednesday, October 15.

Baby Loss Awareness Week starts on October 9 and ends on this day with the International Wave of Light. The Wave of Light sees the baby loss community lighting candles of remembrance at 7pm in their own time zones.

These time zones ‘create a ripple of continuous light across the universe’ in remembrance of all the babies gone too soon.  

In Slough, the Wave of Light Service is being held by the lake in Herschel Park. The event is free to anybody touched by baby or child loss.

The Vishaal Foundation provides the lanterns, candles and everything needed to write messages on the lanterns before gathering at the lake to float them together, lighting up the lake.

This ceremony will be accompanied by the voices of the Sing4You Choir.

“It will be a moving and supportive space for reflection, remembrance, and community,” said Madhuri. “It's really beautiful, and it's amazing to be in a place where everyone understands.

“While the event is for baby loss, we understand your child is your child no matter what age, and we welcome anybody who has been touched by child loss no matter what age their child passed."

Slough's Mayor, Cllr Siobhan Dauti, is also lending her support to the event. The Vishaal Foundation is one of the Mayor’s chosen charities of the year.

“[Cllr Dauti] has also shared with us her own loss,” said Madhuri. “She bravely emailed me about her own personal losses, helping to shine a light on an issue too often kept in silence. 

“If the mayor speaking about it, that really helps the community to know that they can reach out - that there is a place of support.”

Slough’s Wave of Light will be held on Wednesday, October 15 from 6.30pm to 8pm, with candles lit at 7pm. It will be in Herschel Park, Upton Close, Slough.

The event will have free parking. Tickets can be obtained for free at Eventbrite at tinyurl.com/fffc5dmk