Tickets are now available for Ribbon Run Manchester on Saturday 10 October. In aid of Sands, the UK’s leading charity saving babies lives and supporting everyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss.
Following the success of the first Ribbon Run Manchester in 2025, Sands is once again offering individuals, couples, families and friends to join 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 .
Currently, every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth. And at least 1 in 6 of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Thousands of parents and families are experiencing the heartbreak of pregnancy and baby loss every year.
Parents taking part have shared what Ribbon Run means to them. Lauren McLachlan’s baby William a.k.a. ‘Willibobs’ died six weeks after he was born in August 2007.
Lauren said: “Nothing can prepare you for losing a child and there is no length of time that passes that makes the loss and grief any easier, you just learn to deal with it hour by hour and day by day.
“Life can be so incredibly cruel at times with no one to blame. which somehow makes grief harder to bear. Sands and other charities were a life saver so many times for me, a listening ear, someone who could relate to my experiences and
not judge the sheer mixture of emotions I had to process.
“This run is for Willibobs and all other grieving parents out there. One day, you’ll look to the sky or hear a song which will take you back to a happy memory, either in pregnancy, or for those lucky enough to hold their child and for that there will be a
small smile to help you thr ough another difficult day.”
Rhiannon Mackie and her partner are taking part in Ribbon Run Manchester in memory of their baby girl Esme, who they sadly lost at 15 weeks pregnant in May 2026.
Rhiannon said: “ We wanted to raise money for a charity that helps parents through this awful time, and running the 10k is a great way to help us get out of the house for some fresh air while training. Esme was our first baby, and the pain of losing her will never
leave us , but if raising money for Sands can help support other parents going through the same thing then that is really important to us. I am looking forward to pushing myself to run this for Esme, running alongside others who are passionate about raising
awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding baby loss.”
Some families who took part in 2025 are taking part in the Ribbon Run again this year. Natalie Mitchell took part in the Sands Ribbon Run in Manchester in 2025 in honour of her “beautiful baby boy, Rory who was born at just 24 weeks in March 2024.
Natalie said: “At the time, I wasn’t in the fittest state to take on the challenge. I was just six weeks postpartum following an emergency C -section after Rory’s little sister was born prematurely at 31 weeks. My sister also joined me, despite having only been discharged from hospital two days before, after spending three weeks there herself.
“This year, we are determined to put everything we have into our training and give this run our absolute all, once again in honour of our precious boy. Our grief runs deep, and there are days when carrying it feels heavier than others. But being surrounded by
families who understand that pain, without needing to explain it, brings a sense of comfort and peace that is difficult to put into words.”
How to sign up for Ribbon Run Manchester Tickets are available to purchase online . Tickets for over 15’s are £15.99 for 5km, £18.00 for 10km and £10.00 for the 1km Fun Run – all ages welcome, under 3’s free.
Everyone that registers will receive a Ribbon Run t-shirt with a card of dedication, 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. Ribbon Run Event Village
This year, Ribbon Run Manchester is set to be bigger than ever, with an exciting new Event Village designed to create a truly welcoming and memorable day out for families, supporters and the local community.
Alongside the inspiring run itself, families can enjoy a growing range of food, entertainment, wellbeing activities and retail experiences, helping families spend more time together whilst supporting Sands’ vital work.
We’re delighted to welcome confirmed partners Kitch and What A Melt, with more exciting businesses and community organisations set to be announced in the coming weeks. In the Event Village will also be our national Ribbon Display. A beautiful tribute with each ribbon tied to the display to honour and remember a much-loved and missed baby.
Together, they’re helping us create a vibrant festival atmosphere where people can connect, remember, celebrate and make a real difference for bereaved families.
Sands’ Events Fundraising Manager Nicola Knight said: “Being back in Manchester for Ribbon Run is so exciting and we’re so proud to be helping everyone in the local baby loss community come together to connect with each other while raising money to help Sands support other bereaved families and save babies’ lives. Thank you also to the award-winning IT reseller Softcat who have partnered with us for Ribbon Run again this year.”
Sands is proud to welcome back award-winning IT reseller Softcat as the charity’s Ribbon Run partner for the second year running.
Rebecca Bateman, IT PMO Manager and Family Network Co-Lead at Softcat said: “Softcat is delighted to support Baby Loss Awareness Week 2026 and the Sands Ribbon Run.
“We recognise the profound impact that pregnancy and baby loss can have on individuals and families, and we are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues feel safe to share their experiences and seek support. Through awareness, understanding, and compassion, we can help ensure that no one faces loss alone.”
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 long er 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
For businesses or organisations who would like to partner with Sands and join our Ribbon Run event village, please visit: sands.org.uk/ribbon-run-event-village
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