The ninth annual “Walk to Remember” had to be adjusted due to COVID-19.
The annual event is in honour of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
Kim Robinson and her family have been putting on the event since the loss of her daughter at birth due to a cord accident in April 2010.
“We began looking for somewhere to go – do something to remember her by. We couldn’t really find anything and the closest was Toronto so we decided to start this.”
The first “Northumberland Walk to Remember” was held on October 2012.
Due to the pandemic the event this year was turned into the “Northumberland Drive to Remember” which started at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at the Toronto Road car pool lot.
“We still wanted to have something, where we can gather and remember our lost loved ones, but at the same time, keeping everyone safe and healthy,” said Robinson.
Families were given flags and magnets with the names of their loved ones to be placed on their vehicles.
With families staying in their vehicles for the duration of the event Robinson went around to the vehicles participating greeting the families.
Sharply at 6:30 p.m. three balloons were released in the car pool lot followed by a minute of silence.
The vehicles drove from the parking lot and through downtown area in hopes of raising awareness for pregnancy and infant loss day.
The procession of vehicles ended at Caldwell Street overlooking Lake Ontario where a banner and the names of children who were placed.
Vehicles were given a (battery operated) candle to place in their vehicle in honour of The International Wave of Light.
On October 15th, everyone around the world, is invited to light a candle at 7pm, in their time zone. By keeping your candle burning for one hour, you will be participating in a worldwide “Wave of Light” in observance of Pregnancy and Infant loss Awareness Day.
Robinson said although this year isn’t an ideal because of COVID, she hopes everyone felt they were not alone and everyone was together remembering.
“I think there is such a stigma attached to pregnancy, infant loss or the loss of any child so this is a way for us to try and keep talking about it and remember our lost loved ones and break the silence.”
“People generally that attend really love that they can talk open about their lost loved one and not feel judged.”
Robinson said for her personally the event is healing.
“It helps me heal, for myself and our kids and our family. And to help others, to give others somewhere to come where they feel safe and loved.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
