Sands United Bristol will be celebrating their one-year anniversary next month as the brand continues to spread awareness for those coping with the loss of a baby before, during or after birth.

The Lockleaze-based football team are one of over 20 across the country with the first originating in Northampton in 2018.

Sands (Stillbirth & neonatal death charity) was featured on a BBC documentary with Prince William in May, and it was a previous video during Baby Loss Awareness Week in 2018 which saw Peter Byrom become involved with setting up a football team.

"It was a very powerful video which emphasised that men going through the loss of a stillborn baby don't always see themselves as being a dad." said Mr Byrom.

"At that time I was on the committee of the Bristol Sands support group and I suggested starting a team, it went from there. We now play friendlies once a month or so.

"Our shirts are sponsored by the Bristol Rovers Community Trust. Their chief executive Adam Tutton spoke to us and Bristol City have been really supportive too."

Weston-super-Mare based Peter and his wife Denise Ridler-Byrom experienced the heartbreak of losing their baby in 2004 during a tragic few months.

"Denise's mum passed away unexpectedly 13 weeks into the pregnancy," said Mr Byrom. "We spent a couple of months supporting her dad and coping with the loss.

"In November 2003 Denise was suffering a lot of shortness of breath, this was 17 weeks into the pregnancy. We thought it was down to her asthma, the doctors said it was a chest infection.

"One night we called the doctors out as she could barely breathe. She ended up in intensive care at Southmead Hospital and her kidneys were shutting down.

"The doctors weren't sure that she'd make it through the next 48 hours, but all the while the baby was doing absolutely fine."

Denise recovered from the scare and on 2 January 2004 went to hospital for dialysis and a baby scan.

"The midwife struggled to find a heartbeat," said Mr Byrom. "A doctor looked at it and confirmed there wasn't one and the baby was dead.

"Darkness descends on you as you try and take in what's going on.

"She came back on 5 January to be induced and give birth to our son, Thomas.

"He was buried two weeks later next to Denise's mum. We looked at it as she looked after him now."

The couple were told by doctors that the chances of conceiving again were very slim, but Peter and Denise were undeterred.

"My wife is red-headed and half-Irish and doesn't like being told 'no'!" he said.

"A few months later she fell pregnant again and obviously you hold your breath throughout the whole pregnancy.

"Because of what we went through I didn't see a situation where there would be a positive outcome."

Denise gave birth on 2 February 2005 to Harrison, the couple's Rainbow baby, a term used for a child born after a loss to signify a rainbow arriving following a storm.

The stigmatism around mental health meant Peter, now 44, put off attending support meetings until Harrison was a teenager.

"I waited 14 years before I went to a support group meeting," he admitted. "I was too afraid I'd turn up and be the only bloke, sitting there crying my eyes out.

"As a bloke you're meant to be stoic, not dependent on others.

"I first went in June 2018 and have been to every meeting since. I didn't realise how much I needed it. I should have gone sooner.

"Some people come to support groups within a couple of weeks of their loss, some a few months. The support I get from talking to other parents is amazing.

"From that I formed a football team of other dads and have met an amazing group of blokes."

The team, now containing around 35 members, keep in touch over WhatsApp to discuss football and support one another through difficult times.

"People can open up about anniversaries of their loss and if they're having a tough day," said Mr Byrom. "The others in the team can remind them that they're here for you. The most important message I can give is for people to be gentle towards themselves.

"I wish I knew these people under different circumstances, but I feel privileged to know them now."

Sands United Bristol will face Sands United Cardiff on Sunday 20 September at Lockleaze Sports Centre to celebrate a year of playing matches, as they compete for the Severnside Shield.

For more information about Sands visit: HERE : https://www.sands.org.uk/