Warning: This article contains imagery that some readers may find distressing
This week, Eastenders was praised for their sensitive handling of two characters being forced to say goodbye to their stillborn baby.
In emotional scenes aired this week, viewers followed the heartache experienced by characters Shabnam and Kush who were devastated by the loss of their child.
Having worked closely with a stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands before airing the storyline, actress Rakhee Thakrar who plays Shabnam encouraged others to share the name of their stillborn babies in a touching Twitter movement.
Collected under the hashtag, #SayTheirName, the response was heartbreakingly honest and open.
Starting off the campaign, Rakhee held a baby card with the name Zaair which would have been the name of her character’s baby:
For all the babies and children that don’t get a tomorrow #SayTheirName @SandsUK pic.twitter.com/Ff5xmenBoj
— Rakhee Thakrar (@RakheeThakrar) September 1, 2015
The responses soon started flooding in:
An Abnominal for Aidan (#saytheirname) https://t.co/VgOnVGsUNU pic.twitter.com/NoTlZEo1K2 — Andrew Philip (@ambulancebox) September 4, 2015
@RakheeThakrar @SandsUK #SayTheirName Remembering my daughter, Chloe Leigh. Born sleeping 15/11/95 ??? pic.twitter.com/b9UjWreEos
— Sal (@MrsCarlton3010) September 3, 2015
@RakheeThakrar this is my beautiful angel Millie 31/07/13 born a week after Prince George #SayTheirName pic.twitter.com/mXUFJbz3ip — Sam Southern (@Samovision) September 2, 2015
My sleeping beauty Bella Violet born sleeping at 36 weeks. Bella #SayTheirName @RakheeThakrar pic.twitter.com/nxubUYfLj2
— Kelly Paxton (@Paxtonkel2) September 2, 2015
#SayTheirName @RakheeThakrar Niamh Wendy Hart, born sleeping, 3rd October 2005. pic.twitter.com/JM4GGNfWir — Rachel Hart (@ciderface1) September 1, 2015
@RakheeThakrar @SandsUK #SayTheirName Caitlin Jades handprint x pic.twitter.com/VDv8gIPCmy
— Jill72#9/11 (@jill72) September 1, 2015
#SayTheirName @SandsUK ??Rhys?? pic.twitter.com/BH7VzgFPGI — Laura (@LauryLaurzy) September 1, 2015
Fans of the show and parents thanked the actress for her love and support, and giving them a chance to remember their children.
If you, or someone close to you, is struggling with stillborn or a neonatal death bereavement, contact Irish charity Feileacain for support and advice on 085 2496464, or by email on [email protected], A Little Lifetime Foundation is another organisation that can offer support and advice, contact them on 01 8829030 or email on [email protected]
