PARENTS of babies who died in infancy are to gather at York Minster for a special Christmas service to commemorate their lives.

Parents from York and all over the country are invited to gather together at the special service, organised by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID).

Lin Roche, the charity's regional co-ordinator, said Christmas could be an especially hard time for families who had lost children.

She said: "Christmas can be a difficult time of year for parents who have suffered the loss of a child, but the opportunity to come together to remember can provide great support.

"This might be of particular significance this year, with the ongoing issues and media coverage regarding organ retention. The carol service, therefore, may offer an important focal point for many parents."

The charity funds research and offers a 24-hour helpline for parents in distress and needing help and advice. The service, which takes place on Sunday, December 9, at 2pm, also marks the 30th anniversary for the charity.

Lin added: "FSID's research achievements have been considerable. We have funded over £8 million of research over the last 30 years, studies which have formed the backbone of the body of knowledge about sudden infant deaths.

"FSID's innovative research has also shed light on other areas of infant health. The Reduce the Risk of Cot Death campaign in 1991 was the result of research part-funded by FSID, which was instrumental in bringing a reduction of a 70 per cent fall in cot deaths.

"This means that over 10,000 babies' lives have been saved in the past decade, a wonderful achievement and something truly worthy of celebration.

"But still cot death claims the lives of seven babies every week in the UK, so elimination of these tragedies will remain at the heart of FSID's activities for the years to come."

Updated: 11:44 Thursday, November 29, 2001