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EDITIONS
Saturday, 21 September, 2002, 23:02 GMT 00:02 UK
'Why junk mail made me cry'
Parents can now opt out of the baby junk mail
Grieving parents can be bombarded with mail

Fiona Randall's baby Jacob died shortly before birth - but nearly a year later she was still receiving baby junk mail.

Offers celebrating Jacob's first birthday, his toddler years and frequent nappy offers ensured Fiona's grief about Jacob was always present.

"It is so upsetting when you get things through the post saying your baby is now one when he wasn't here.

"I can remember when we went back to our old house my brother in law said there is lots of mail has come here for you.

Reminders

"There was something saying your baby will be toddling now and I just sat on the stairs sobbing my heart out.

"They were continuing as if he was still alive and it was just horrible."

Fiona Randall and son Noah
Fiona is now mum to Noah

Now Fiona has signed up for the Baby Mailing Preference Service - a service that allows grieving parents like herself to take themselves off the baby product mailing lists.

The system, sponsored by the Direct Marketing Association, then contacts all the companies in their system and tells them that the person concerned no longer wishes to receive the post.

Bereaved

The scheme was the brain child of Sarah Rowe, who lost her twins and was bombarded with unwanted baby junk mail.

Like Sarah, Fiona signed up for a number of baby clubs, but was unprepared for the heart ache this would later bring.

"You sign up for all these clubs. I was never one of those people who was superstitious. There had never been any need to be.

"Luckily we moved from the house shortly afterwards, but every time we went back there was this mail waiting for us.

"It was very distressing. Some of the companies were very quick to remove me from their lists but I had a lot of problems with one."

She is delighted by the new scheme.

"It sounds fantastic to me this is just one thing you just don't want to be bothered with"

You can pick up a leaflet or register online at www.mpsonline.org.uk; by emailing babymps@dma.org.uk or phoning 0207 291 3310.

See also:

05 Aug 02 | dot life
10 Apr 02 | Science/Nature
12 Dec 01 | Business
02 Feb 01 | Europe
15 Jun 01 | UK
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