The Worcestershire football team which is helping dads and families in the area impacted by baby loss
The group was set-up in 2023, after founder Ross Joyner lost his daughter
Last updated 14th Oct 2024
A football team in Worcestershire says it isn't just their love for the sport which has brought them together.
SANDS United Worcester were formed in 2023 to help and bring together men affected by baby loss.
Founder Ross Joyner started the group following the loss of his daughter, and he says it had a real impact on him.
"It took about two weeks before my grief came out, and I just felt lonely," he said.
"My partner told me that I needed to go and get help, and I saw that there was a chance to join a football team with Sands, but they said to me as there wasn't one in Worcester, that I should set one up.
"We don't necessarily talk about it with each other when we are here, but we know that we're there if we need to be there, and it's just brilliant."
The group meet up once a week in the area, where for one hour they focus on playing football, and also sometimes matches at weekends.
Simon Haddrell lost his daughter four years ago, and says joining the group has helped him.
"I held my daughter as she passed away," Simon said.
"You can't put it into words how much it affects you, it was just like our world had been ripped apart.
"Everything about it was horrendous, and there's just no words to describe what you go through.
"Everyone has been through it, the emotions you go through are life changing, but just to have that outlet for it where we can come together and play football is incredible."
On the shirts, all players have the names of their children, or grandchildren who passed away.
One of the members Piers Wolfe originally tried to start the group in 2018 following the loss of his son Theo, and he says it means a lot to be able to take to the pitch having that on their jerseys.
He said: "Having a son, as a dad you always think, great he'll grow up and be into football.
"It's nice just being able to go, he's not here, but I can play in his memory, and that's super powerful, and being involved with the team has made me a lot more open with my situation."
Baby loss awareness week has been running from the 9th to the 15th October, and has seen the government announce all parents who have experienced losing a pregnancy can now apply for a certificate formally recognising their loss.
Baby loss certificates were first launched in February 2024 but were only available to those who had experienced a loss since September 2018.