Gateshead Millennium Bridge will be illuminated in vibrant rainbow colours on Wednesday 19th August as part of a national display supporting families navigating pregnancy after baby loss. The event is organised by pregnancy loss charity Willow’s Rainbow Box, founded in Newcastle by Amneet and Daniel Graham in 2019.
Charity’s origins and mission
The couple created the charity after experiencing a miscarriage in 2017 and welcoming their daughter Willow in 2018. Amneet found her pregnancy with Willow difficult and anxious, prompting her to support others in similar situations. She said: “I wanted to create something so other people could see they didn’t have to go through that journey alone.”
Willow’s Rainbow Box provides comfort, support and specialised resources to women, birthing people and families during pregnancies following a previous baby loss. The charity supplies comfort boxes via self-referral and directly to NHS trusts, including the maternity unit at the RVI, offering emotional support, mindfulness tools and practical guidance.
National reach and landmark illuminations
What started in the North East now supports families across the country since 2023, with 100 boxes already provided to the RVI this year alone. Newcastle and Gateshead will join six other regional locations across England in a synchronised wave of rainbow light, including Middlesbrough Civic buildings, Leeds Civic buildings, Mersey Gateway Bridge, Nottingham Council House, London King’s Cross, Rochester Cathedral and Medway Maritime Hospital.
Healthcare partners have been invited to join the mass illumination in honour of maternal healthcare and baby loss support. The charity is encouraging local businesses, community venues and residents to light up their own spaces during the week.
Hope and community involvement
Amneet said: “The pregnancy after loss journey can be incredibly isolating and full of mixed emotions. As landmarks like Gateshead Millennium Bridge join us to highlight such an important cause during Rainbow Baby Week, we hope it reminds local families they will never be alone in this. We are incredibly thankful to every venue standing alongside us for this vital campaign.”
Local residents are invited to view the light up at Gateshead Millennium Bridge on the evening of Wednesday 19th. The event falls during Rainbow Baby Week, which runs from Sunday 16th to Saturday 22nd August, coinciding with the UK’s national Rainbow Baby Day. The charity hopes to spread hope and unity by encouraging attendees to share photos on social media with the hashtag #rainbowbabyweek and @willowsrainbox.
