BEREAVED families from Tunbridge Wells have campaigned at the House of Commons.

A special parliamentary session was held by Sands, the charity for stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Sands members from Tunbridge Wells presented a new report, Saving Babies' Lives.

They launched the Why 17? campaign which asks "Why do 17 babies die every single day in the UK?".

Bereaved mother Katie Turner, 43, of St David's Park, told the Kent and Sussex Courier: "For me, this event means that, at last, something good can come out of something bad. Sands is being heard and there is now the hope, with the right funding, that we can perhaps change the statistics.

"Although we all grieve for our lost babies every day and always will, it would be amazing to hope that there will be fewer parents in the future whose lives will be shattered by having their hopes and dreams so radically destroyed."

The report highlights several problem areas that are contributing to the level of baby loss, the long-lasting impact of deaths and recommends changes that could save babies' lives.

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark pledged his support: "I was shocked to discover there are 6,500 stillbirth and neonatal deaths every year in the UK and that many families in my local constituency will have experienced the tragic loss of a baby in this way.

"The new Saving Babies' Lives report clearly outlines the key issues, problem areas and recommendations for change, and I am fully committed to supporting Sands in its call for action now to make a difference so more lives can be saved in the future."

Sands runs monthly support meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at Christ Church, in Prospect Road, Southborough.

The group befriends bereaved parents, provides training and support to clinicians and holds an annual bereavement service.

For more information, telephone 07504 743 663 or visit www.courier.co.uk/links