Two children's nurses are calling on the local community to raise money to support bereaved families at Kingston Hospital, by taking part in Kingston Hospital Charity's special memory walk, A Night to Remember, this autumn.

The event, set for Saturday 7 September, is Kingston Hospital Charity's third memory walk. The walks provide an opportunity for family, friends, and colleagues to come together and celebrate the lives of their loved ones across either a 6.5- or 13-mile route, starting and finishing at the Ancient Market Place in Kingston.

Kingston Hospital Paediatric Family Liaison Nurses Corrinne Melian and Jasmin Bowen, who are both taking part in the walk, said: "We support families at the most difficult and distressing times imaginable after the death of a child, and we are so grateful Kingston Hospital Charity has chosen to encourage participants in this year's Night to Remember to raise funds to help our bereaved families. 

"This is one of the most intensely painful experiences for parents and families to go through.

"Families describe how they feel like they've lost a part of themselves and struggle to return to normal life. They often experience a wide range of intense emotions including sadness, anger, guilt and anxiety. Death affects the whole family and can put a lot of strain on relationships, as we all grieve differently."   

The money raised at this year's Night to Remember will go towards providing specialist psychological support for bereaved families delivered by an experienced bereavement psychologist.

Corrinne and Jasmin shared some of their own experiences during their time at the hospital, saying: "As paediatric nurses we never forget a child who has died. On Saturday 7 September we will have the privilege of walking alongside some of our bereaved families - some of the strongest and bravest people we have ever met.

They added: "Despite their own grief, they want to raise money so that other families get the best possible support if the worst happened to them."

Readers interested in joining Corrine and Jasmin at this year's Night to Remember can visit the Kingston Hospital Charity website here.

Registration for the event costs £20 for adults and £10 for children. Each participant will receive a medal, glow sticks and refreshments.