A church in Medmenham is offering a Mother’s Day service with a difference for parents who have lost a child.

St Peter and St Paul’s Church is running its fourth annual Footprints service next month, which is for anyone who has lost a child at any stage of life, from pregnancy to adulthood.

The service is also for anyone who has been affected by such a loss, whether parent, grandparent, friend or family member.

Reverend Sue Morton, associate priest at the church in Henley Road, said: “Mother’s Day is a wonderful thing for people to celebrate but I do think it that for people who are bereaved it is a really difficult time.

“For some people, they are not going to want to go out that day – it is so painful for them.

“We are offering people a chance to remember their child and to remember they were a parent, whether it was for a short or long time.

“I hope that they feel encouraged and supported enough to get through Mother’s Day, especially if they have other children to look after.

“It can be a bit of a dark place for some people.”

Everyone who attends the service will receive a footprint shaped piece of people on which they can write their child’s name. If their child was not yet named, they will be told what they can write instead.

The piece of paper is then given to Revd Morton at the altar and parents are invited to light a candle in their child’s name.

Rev Morton said: “That is a very precious moment.

“We then give everyone something to take away when they leave – something to give them hope that they are able to take home with them.

“It is a safe place for people to remember their child.”

The church also invites older bereaved parents – for example those who lost a child a number of years ago – to speak to parents who have recently lost a child.

Rev Morton added: “That part after the service is very important. We have some families in place for this year who are happy to do it.

“One of the reasons I started Footprints was that I was taking a Mother’s Day service once.

“I looked around and wondered how many people were not there because they had lost a child and it was too painful for them to be there.

“The church has a real role to play in looking out for those who are quietly grieving and give them a space to be supported and loved.”

There will be music, readings and prayers included as part of the time of remembering, and refreshments will also be served after the service.

It will start at 7.30pm on Friday, March 2.

For more information, contact Revd Morton on 01491 639286.