A BEREAVED Monmouth mother is appealing for volunteers to help set up a local support group for others who have lost a baby.

Karen Savage Grove wants to start a Sands group to support families in Monmouth, Abergavenny, Usk, Ross-on-Wye and all surrounding areas.

Karen said: “I got involved with Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, after my son Harry died in January 2012.

“I was supported by Bristol Sands and trained as a befriender two years ago. Through Bristol’s Sands, I already support families whose babies have been stillborn or have died shortly after birth.”

As Karen’s nearest Sands groups are all approximately 20 miles away, she has decided now is the time to start a new group in the area.

She added: “I would love to have other bereaved family members on board to help me do this and enable me to reach those local families who could benefit from support and talking to and meeting others who’ve also experienced the death of a baby.”

You do not have to have suffered a bereavement to help. Karen is also looking for committee members with organisational, fundraising or financial skills. To get involved, contact Welsh network coordinator, Heatherjane Coombs, on 07709602635 or email [email protected].