For supporting bereaved parents for over 15 years.

On winning the award Caroline said: "I am honoured to win this award, no one does voluntary work to get recognition but because we want to help other in similar situations and reassure them that they are not alone and everything they are going through, we have been there. 

"I am passionate about research into stillbirth as well and help to raise funds to go towards reducing numbers so fewer people will ever have to suffer the heartache of losing their baby."

Learn more about Caroline's story and her connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For leading and supporting Forth Valley Sands for over 14 years.

On winning the award Caroline said: "There are so many great people involved in Sands and we all help and support each other. I am really humbled that someone thought to nominate me for an award, and it means a great deal to me."

Learn more about Caroline's story and her connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For finding new ways to support bereaved parents.

On winning the award Emily said: "My volunteer role is one I’ve been evolving since training as a befriender in 2019. As an official volunteer at the hospital, I am able to run my weekly one to one clinics with bereaved families with an additional flexibility to be able to support my wonderful rainbow clinic families on the ward and support families in the early stages of loss in the Butterfly Suite. 

"To win an award for this work means so much and goes beyond why I do what I do. This work I do is never for recognition it’s just a way of me making good of the tragedy surrounding Joshua’s death. Mostly, though, it is, and always has been, a way of continuing Joshua’s legacy. I am proud to be his mummy and I am honoured to have the opportunity to have this role and support as many families as I can."

Learn more about Emily's story and her connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For creating and leading Sands United FC Farnborough - supporting a community of players.

On winning the award James said: "When I found out I had won an award I couldn’t’ believe it, it brought a tear to my eye. To be recognised for something in any walk of life is special but to win an award for sands left me pretty speechless. It meant the world to me.  

"I don’t do any volunteering for praise, it’s all to support others but it did make me so proud of what we have achieved in the first year of Sands United FC Farnborough."

Learn more about James' story and his connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For supporting bereaved parents through tough times, always being there for people who need support.

On winning the award Laura said: "It was a complete surprise and I feel very humble to have been nominated. I am part of a wonderful group, and everybody deserves a special award in their own right. I do feel a little bit of a fraud as I don’t feel it’s completely altruistic why I work hard to support others. 

"Volunteering for Sands is my way of mothering Penny. I can’t take her gymnastics or dance lessons, plait her hair, or listen to her chuckles. It’ll never see her grow up to be the Spritely little princess I know she would be.  

"But, I can emphasise with others who have had their worlds turned upside down. I can hold a hand and offer a tissue. I can be the voice of bereaved parents and see that policies and procedures are checked and changed when necessary.  

"I can raise awareness and help break the taboo of talking about baby loss do others may talk about their precious babies if they so wish."

Learn more about Laura's story and her connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For ensuring that bereaved parents across the North of England get the support they need.

On winning the award Janelle said: "I'm so pleased to have won an award in the Support category; support meetings are the heart of what we do. I trained as a befriender, to help continue the amazing care Leeds Sands offers in our area and beyond. 

"I remember my first meeting, I cried for the whole 2 hours, but I felt like I belonged and was safe and understood.  We run a variety of meetings tailored to the needs of our parents, for those who are pregnant again, and for those who are no longer trying to conceive. 

"It’s important that we can be there for parents, whatever stage they are at after the death of a baby."

Learn more about Janelle's story and her connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For being the person that makes sure everything gets done - and supporting bereaved families in every way possible.

On winning the award Morgan said: "I am absolutely lost for words about winning an award. My husband and I never do any of our volunteering for any recognition, but it is so lovely to of even been nominated, let alone win.

"I feel very honoured."

Learn more about Morgan's story and her connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For creating an award-winning partnership with The Whitworth Gallery.

On winning the award Paul and Jo said: "Winning this award is both wonderful and, at the same time, humbling. We both come from a cultural tradition in which the highest form of 'good work' is that done without seeking recognition or honours. 

"It is also a tradition in which the concept of 'Tikun Olam' - repairing the world - is a core principle. All we have sought to do, for c.30 years, is to ensure bereaved parents receive the support they need at the most difficult and traumatic time of their lives."

Learn more about Paul and Jo's story and their connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For raising awareness of baby loss and Sands through multiple events.

On winning the award Sandra said: "I am honoured and delighted to be nominated for an award for my volunteering with Sands. I am one of many volunteers in Aberdeen Sands and we all deserve an award as we work closely as a team to ensure bereaved families in Grampian get the care they deserve.  

"Sands does amazing work and unfortunately people do not always know about the work, so I try to ensure we raise as much awareness as is possible locally by organising events, speaking to local press/companies, work closely with healthcare professionals."

Learn more about Sandra's story and her connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.

For creating a safe space for parents to get the support they need, and steering Bristol Sands over many years.

On winning the award Hilary said: "It is wonderful to be recognised for the hard work and commitment I have put in over the years and I am very proud to receive this award.   

"I’d like to give credit to all the Bristol Sands committee members because we have worked closely as team to achieve so many amazing things over the years and everyone has played their part in making things happen including so many remembrance services, fundraising events, offering a wide variety of support meetings, supporting the local hospitals, and raising awareness across Bristol and beyond."

Learn more about Hilary's story and her connection to the Sands community – a community unlike any other.