To lose a child is possibly the most heart-breaking thing any parent has to go through.
Each parent will go through the grieving period differently, in their own way; it's so personal to the individual.
Some choose to grieve and keep the memory of their loved one alive in a private manner, while others find it helps the healing process to publicly speak about their experiences, and perhaps comfort others who have been through a similar situation in the process.
Coronation Street star Kym Marsh is one public figure who has chosen to open up about the tragic passing of her baby son Archie, almost 10 years ago. She has spoken of her beloved family who, she says, has been her rock in the years since his heartbreaking death - he passed away at 21 weeks - and has frequently paid emotional, public tributes to him, saying he is never far from her thoughts.
This year, on the 10th anniversary of his death on February 10th, he will be remembered at the actress's inaugural Archie’s Footprint Ball, according to OK! Magazine.
The 41-year-old said it will be a night to celebrate her baby's short life and raise awareness and cash to support women who have suffered similar losses.
"We’re doing something very special by raising awareness and money in his memory and I feel very proud of us as a family," she said, adding that there will be "happy tears too.". "I always say Archie gave me Polly and on that night she’ll be there celebrating his birthday. I have no doubt Archie would have looked exactly like Polly."
So just two weeks today guys!!! Archie’s Footprint Ball!!!! @HiltonMCR only a couple of tables left so if you wanna come along you best get cracking!! Help us support @SayingGoodbyeUK for tickets contact @EntertainToday 01614840876 see you there pic.twitter.com/rmEQR5EIEM
— Kym Marsh (@msm4rsh) January 27, 2018
Kym said she and Archie's father, Jamie Lomas, were devastated when their baby passed and describing his final moments, she recalled how it was, heart-wrenchingly, her own father who was the last person to hold their little boy.
"When Archie died, he was allowed to stay in the ward with me overnight. The next morning my dad carried him down to the vehicle where the funeral directors were waiting and put him into his coffin, so dad was the last person to hold Archie," she said.
Marsh won a British Soap Award when her when her Coronation Street character lost her baby son Ruairi in a painful storyline that the actress found tough to relieve, but said she wanted to do it to raise awareness.
Me and my wonderful grown up children. I'm so proud of them both @david_cunliffe3 @EmilieCunliffe pic.twitter.com/vkGDuqMvpQ
— Kym Marsh (@msm4rsh) February 5, 2017
As we are sitting here enjoying ourselves someone is losing their baby. I’m so proud of the show for telling the story in its entirety, reaching out to people and breaking the silence and the taboo," she said when she won the award. "My wonderful children, David, Emily and Polly... you're the reason I smile every day. I'd like to dedicate this to my son Archie."
