The Lieutenant Governor's wife, Dr Karen Kyd, has been announced as the new patron for Jersey charity 'Philip's Footprints'.

Following the full-term stillbirth of their second son, Philip, in 2008, Jo and Paul Nash launched the charity to provide the support they would have found invaluable.

For the past 15 years, Philip's Footprints has helped those affected by the loss of a baby or child, offering comfort by donating memory boxes for losses up to 18 years of age.

It also funds professional bereavement counselling and offers one to one support to families as well as regular support meetings. 

In addition, the charity provides one-off purchases such as fully-equipped community midwife home birth bags, CuddleCots, bereavement care training, and funds safer pregnancy projects.

Its new patron Dr Karen Kyd recently visited Rayner Clinic, the Women and Child Services Counselling Room and the Maternity Unit to see first hand how the charity supports Jersey families.

Dr Kyd has been a general practitioner for over 25 years.

"I have seen first hand the effect loss has. Sadly, losing a baby is more common than many people realise - up to one in four pregnancies.

That journey through it is really difficult. If there is anything we can do to help make that journey easier and a little bit less lonely, then that's really important.

I'm delighted to be part of it."

Founder Jo Nash is hoping that Dr Kyd can bring more awareness to Philip's Footprints, helping people in seeking their services.

She urges anyone to visit the website and to seek support and help where they need it.