Funds secured by Newbattle, Inveralmond and West Calder High Schools’ students have been deployed by baby loss charity Held in our Hearts as part of its Covid-19 response.

The charity, previously known as SANDS Lothian, has seen an increase in demand for its services since lockdown was introduced.

The YPI grant has been used to assign additional phone counselling services to those living in the Lothians who have suffered baby loss. Tracy Watt of the charity said:

“We have had to adjust our services to respond to the pandemic. Our befriending and counselling services are now online or over the phone. Families who have suffered a lost are disproportionately impacted by these circumstances and grief can resurface.

“Our fundraising calendar has been severely impacted so the funds secured by the pupils earlier in the year have been vital as we have adapted.”

The charity has been chosen by a number of YPI students over the past four years and Tracy has been impressed by the young people tackling this issue with maturity and sensitivity. She added:

“Baby loss is a subject many people shy away from so to see young people raising awareness like this is fantastic.

“I lost a baby when I was 22 and felt like I didn’t have the support I needed. I wrote a poem which one of the team shared. To hear them read my words was very moving and they handled it very well. They really tried to put themselves in my shoes and understand the issue.

“I have been really inspired and impressed by all the teams that have represented us. They all have interesting questions and ideas for their presentations. It’s been great to follow their journeys through the process and beyond.”