Park walk spreads hope for grieving families

BEREAVED Geelong families have united to honour their beloved children and manage their grief at a special support event on the weekend.

More than 100 parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends attended this year’s walk at Rippleside Park on Sunday. which honours children who have died through pregnancy loss, still birth or post-natal causes.

Hope Bereavement Care organised the event, as part of the Geelong charity’s work to provide information, support and counselling for people managing grief following the death of a child.

It was Hope’s first in-person event in Geelong since 2019, and is in commemoration of International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

The event opened with a welcome to country from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, and bereaved family members Lisa and Sam released symbolic doves to continue a much-loved tradition of the walk.

Hope Bereavement counsellor Caroline Gubb said the event had a significant positive impact on impacted families.

“Many bereaved parents find that they are able to honour their babies and children at (the walk of hope),” she said.

“The walk helps them on their journey to adjust to life after the huge impact of losing a baby or child, in particular the walk can help with that grief for the future that can no longer be.”

Hope Bereavement executive officer Salli Hickford said she was pleased to see the in-person event happen once again.

“It’s such a special day, full of love,

and solidarity, memories and connection,” she said. “It’s a day where Geelong people volunteer their time to provide support for other member of the community, to stand with them, to support them and remember their much-loved child.”