Handmade Rakhis bring comfort and connection to bereaved families

Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, has supported hundreds of bereaved families to mark Raksha Bandhan (8 to 9 August) this year through its Forever Tied in Love campaign — a heartfelt initiative honouring the enduring bond between siblings, even in the face of loss.

Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, is a cherished Hindu festival that celebrates the deep connection between brothers and sisters. Traditionally, sisters tie a sacred thread — a Rakhi — around their brothers’ wrists as a symbol of love, protection, and lifelong connection.

As part of its Forever Tied in Love Campaign, Sands invited bereaved families to mark Raksha Bandhan in a very special way. The charity partnered with the volunteer knitting group Knit Your Socks Off to create more than 1,000 handmade Rakhis, each featuring two entwined hearts – one for the sibling here and one for the sibling gone too soon.

The response from the community was incredible, and within days of launching the campaign on social media every single Rakhi had been requested by bereaved parents and families.

Founded in 2015 by Sbba Siddique, Knit Your Socks Off is a community of women who use knitting and crochet to connect, heal, and give back. The group has supported numerous causes over the years — from premature baby clothing to Remembrance Day poppies — and has long been a supporter of Sands, creating blankets for the charity’s Memory and Care Boxes.

Sbba Siddique said: “Each of us in the group has been touched by baby loss in some way. Through our knitting, we honour our own children and support others on the same journey. The Forever Tied in Love campaign has been especially meaningful — many of our volunteers have poured their hearts into every stitch.”

Sands hopes the campaign will continue to raise awareness of the unique grief experienced by bereaved siblings and families during cultural celebrations and offer a small but meaningful way to feel connected, remembered, and supported.

Madhuri Bedi, Sands Outreach Coordinator for South Asian Communities, said: “At Sands, we understand that Raksha Bandhan can be especially painful for families who are grieving the loss of a baby or child. For siblings who can’t celebrate in the traditional way, and for parents missing the bond between their children, this time of year can intensify feelings of grief.

“We are deeply grateful to Sbba and all the volunteers at Knit Your Socks Off for understanding our sentiments and desire to support bereaved families by crafting these beautiful Rakhis with such care and compassion.”

Breaking the silence around pregnancy and baby loss

In 2018 Sita and her husband Rikesh were overflowing with excitement for the birth of their baby, a boy they named Arjun. Sadly, after a natural labour, Arjun passed away only 50 minutes after being born.

Sita said: “In South Asian culture, baby loss is still deeply taboo. Despite how common it is, no one talks about it. I never realised how many women around me had suffered losses, until they reached out after Arjun died. Quietly, gently, they tried to comfort me. I was stunned that I’d spent my whole life unaware of the grief these women carried in complete silence, often with no support at all.”
Sita and Rikesh went on to have two daughters and as a family they talk about Arjun and celebrate his life.

Sita continued: “As Arjun was our firstborn, our daughters never got to meet him. But in the past year or so, they’ve come to understand that mummy and daddy have a baby named Arjun. They look at his photos, and to them, he’s their ‘cute baby brother’. As they grow, we’ll share more about him – about the love we still carry, about the life that almost was.

“Every year on Arjun’s birthday, we visit Brighton beach – the place where we scattered his ashes on his first birthday. It’s a place of peace for us. His birthday often falls near Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, so we include him in that celebration too. The girls tie a Rakhi for their brother, and we pray that he’s happy and safe wherever he is on his journey.”

Support for you

Here at Sands, we know that talking about pregnancy and baby loss can be difficult. Please know that you are not alone, and there are people who understand and whom you can speak to in confidence.
Find out more about Sands support for South Asian Communities and support for siblings.