Sands Ribbon Run comes to Manchester for the first time

Tickets are now available for Ribbon Run Manchester on Saturday 11 October, in aid of Sands, the UK’s leading charity saving babies’ lives and supporting everyone touched by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.

For the very first time, individuals, couples, families and friends can come together in person and take part in this popular remembrance event in memory of their much-loved babies during Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October).

Ribbon Run Manchester, follows an incredible route around Heaton Park. Starting in the Ribbon Run Event Village, participants will line up alongside others touched by pregnancy or baby loss and will either take on distances of 5km, 10km or a 1km Fun Run for the whole family to get involved.

Parents taking part this year have shared what it means to them.

Bereaved dad and member Sands United FC Manchester Peter Moseley said: “This year, I will be helping to support the Ribbon Run with my teammates from Sands United FC Manchester. Events like this are really powerful in bringing together families who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss, as well as raising awareness and understanding in the community. It allows us to celebrate our loved ones, honour their names and share their stories.

“Whilst injury will prevent me from running, I am looking forward to supporting my friends and remember their littles ones as well as contribute something positive in the name of my little boy.

“Having attended support meetings following the loss of our son, Arthur, in 2018, I set up Sands United Solent with a friend of mine in 2019. As I came to terms with my own feelings around baby loss, being connected to others who had experienced the same brought great comfort.

“Whilst I learned that grief impacts us all in different ways, and no two journeys through pregnancy and parenthood are the same, I also stopped feeling quite so alone and found people that could relate to the situation we found ourselves in.”

Midwife Jo Gallagher said: “As a midwife committed to providing quality antenatal care and education, I care for many women during pregnancy. Most of the time, these women have a positive experience and outcome. However, unfortunately that is not always the case. I’m taking part in Ribbon Run Manchester this year to help raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss and because I want bereaved families to know that when the journey ends, it’s not forgotten by those involved in their care.”

Tickets are available to purchase online. Tickets for over 15s are £14.00 for 5km, £18.00 for 10km and £10.00 for the 1km Fun Run – all ages welcome, under 3s free.

Everyone that registers will receive a Ribbon Run t-shirt with a card of dedication, an LED candle for the Global Wave of Light on Sunday 15 October, a bespoke Ribbon Run medal after crossing the line, and free access to the 1km Fun Run if you have signed up to either the 5km or 10km runs.

Sands’ Events Fundraising Manager Nicola Knight said: “What makes this year even more special is that we are bringing so many Ribbon Runners together for the very first time in Manchester, after previously holding this event virtually with thousands taking part across the UK. There’s something truly meaningful about being side by side, sharing the same space and feeling the collective support of the baby loss community. We can’t wait to welcome you to this unforgettable day.

“We are proud to welcome award-winning IT reseller Softcat as our Ribbon Run partner for the first time this year.”

Rebecca Bateman, IT PMO Manager and Family Network Co-Lead at Softcat, said: “Softcat is delighted and proud to support Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025 and the Ribbon Run. Our involvement underscores our ongoing commitment to addressing such an important topic, and providing our colleagues with the space and security to share their experiences and talk about their losses. Together, we can foster an environment of understanding, support, and healing.”

Sands is the UK’s oldest baby loss charity operating in all four nations of the UK. The charity was started in 1978, when a group of bereaved parents came together, to support each other and unite for better care. And the community they built, rooted in compassion and a drive for change, is creating a powerful legacy for all their babies through safer maternity care for everyone. 

Today Sands is here for everyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss, whether their loss happened recently or longer ago.

For further information about Sands Ribbon Run Manchester, please visit: sands.org.uk/ribbon-run-manchester

To find out more about becoming a Ribbon Run Champion or taking on our virtual Ribbon Run across the UK, find out more at: sands.org.uk/ribbon-run