Tots Play Charity Week 2026 - Supporting Sands

Every year we celebrate our business anniversary by holding a special Charity Week, where we run special themed classes to celebrate Totsy Monkeys birthday and raise money for a charity nominated by the public.

This year we are proudly supporting Sands, the UK's leading pregnancy and baby loss charity and asked Carolyn Bray, the Assistant Director for Income and Supporter Engagement at the charity to share a bit more about the amazing work they do.

Here's what she told us;

"At Tots Play, everything centres around those precious early years, the giggles, the cuddles, the

splashes, the proud little moments when your child masters something new. These are the

memories families treasure.

That’s why I’m so incredibly grateful that this fundraising week, Tots Play has chosen to support

Sands. Because while many families are enjoying those beautiful early moments, others are facing

something unimaginable. Every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth. At least 1 in 6 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Behind every one of those numbers is a family whose world has changed forever. And very often, there is a young child in that family too.

When my daughter died, my son was four and a half. He was old enough to understand that

something had happened, but he was too young to fully understand what death meant. He would suddenly and out of the blue ask big, searching questions. Where is she now? Why

can’t the doctors fix her? Is she coming home later? And then, almost in the same breath, he’d ask for a snack or wander off to play.

As a parent I wanted to protect my son from hurt and pain. I remember thinking it was always hard

to know what to say. How much detail was too much? Was I saying the right thing? Was I

confusing him? Children process grief in such different ways to adults. They dip in and out. They revisit questions months later. They can seem fine one moment and deeply unsettled the next.

At the same time, as parents, we are carrying our own heartbreak. Pregnancy and baby loss

affects the whole family. When a baby dies, it isn’t only parents who grieve. Brothers and sisters grieve the sibling they were expecting to grow up with. Grandparents grieve. Close friends’ children may feel confused when a baby they were told about never arrives. Nurseries and schools may not know how best to support a bereaved sibling. Young children may not yet understand the concept of death, but they absolutely feel the shift in the family, the sadness, the routines changing, the emotional weight.

Saving babies’ lives. Supporting bereaved families. That’s where Sands makes such a difference.

Sands offers:

• Specialist bereavement support for parents and older family members

• Local peer support groups across the UK

• Memory boxes and remembrance events

• Guidance for talking to children of all ages about baby loss

• Beautiful children’s activity and memory making books to help little ones express how they

feel

• Advice, guidance and signposting for teachers and schools supporting bereaved siblings

  
  

Sands works tirelessly to improve maternity safety, campaign for change and fund research,

because alongside supporting families, we are working to save babies’ lives.

Tots Play is built around connection, that focused time together, playing, learning and enjoying

one another’s company, and for families who have experienced baby loss, connection matters more than ever. It matters that someone understands. It matters that there are words when you can’t find your

own. It matters that siblings are supported too.

By supporting Sands this fundraising week, you are helping ensure that no family has to navigate

pregnancy or baby loss alone. You are helping parents like me, who once sat on the sofa trying to answer impossible questions from a four-year-old. You are helping little brothers and sisters feel seen, heard and supported. And you are helping Sands continue their vital work to save babies’ lives in the future. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this.

Together, we are Sands.

Carolyn Bray

Assistant Director Income and Supporter Engagement, Sands"

Support our charity week

This year we'll have special Jungle Themed classes running up and down the country, as part of the celebrations, and our franchisees will be raising both funds and awareness for Sands, with lots of different activities including sponsored sensory walks, raffles, games, dress up and lots more, and we're so pleased to be able to support such a wonderful charity.

If you're joining us during our charity week with your little one, we hope you'll consider supporting these activities and hope you enjoy all of the Tots Play jungle fun too!

Donate Now

If you won't be with us at our classes or events this year, and would still like to support this wonderful charity, or to make a direct donation you can do so via our Just Giving page by clicking the button below.

DONATE HERE

We're so grateful for all of your support! If you'd like to come and join us for our charity week, click HERE to find classes near you and do get in touch with your local class leader for all the details of what's happening in your area for this year's celebrations. It would be lovely to welcome you.

Thanks so much for being part of Tots Play and allowing us to offer this support to the wider community - it really is appreciated.

Keep up to date with us at Tots Play by clicking HERE to Subscribe to our Blog for regular updates and activity ideas.