Pink candles will mark this Shabbat in memory of toddler Sadie Salt
Candles are being distributed in memory of the Radlett toddler who died earlier this month, on what would have been her third birthday.
Tali is a reporter at Jewish News
Pink candles are being distributed to light this Shabbat in memory of Sadie Salt on what would have been her third birthday, after she died choking at nursery last week.
The tribute to Sadie, planned following discussion with her family by the Facebook group ‘Connect Borehamwood’, takes place on Friday. Voluntary donations are being taken to cover the costs, with any excess donations distributed to charities of the family’s choice.
The pink candles in honour of Sadie, who organisers say “brought so much light and colour to the world”, can be ordered for free, while signs and blessing cards have been printed free of charge by Kellmatt.
The Salt family are meeting with a cabinet minister to discuss their campaign to ban nurseries from serving certain foods after their daughter died choking on a sausage at nursery.
‘Sadie’s Law’, a petition to get sausages and grapes removed from nursery lunches for under-five-year-olds, has received over 10,000 signatures.
Her parents, who live in Barnet, contacted their local MP, cabinet minister Oliver Dowden, who agreed to virtually meet with them to discuss their efforts on 27 November, which would have been Sadie’s third birthday.
The family said: “We must all come together and continue to push to get more fundraising done and to reach 100k signatures to get Sadie’s Law heard.”
- Visit the fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adam-salt1
Oliver Dowden MP, the culture secretary, told Jewish News: “I was deeply saddened to read that Sadie passed away after choking on some food at her nursery last week.
“It is a horrendous tragedy whenever a parent has to face the death of their child and I cannot imagine what Sadie’s parents and her brothers are going through right now. They have my deepest sympathies at this most difficult of times.
“Sadie’s father, Adam, contacted me to ask for a meeting in order to discuss his petition. Despite it being in the most terrible of circumstances, I look forward to our upcoming meeting and an opportunity to discuss it further directly with Sadie’s family.’
The Sadie’s Law petition reads: “We are fully aware that accidents happen, but things can also be put in place to prevent these accidents occurring.
“Sausages are renowned for their awkward shape and tough skin, thus making it extra challenging for small children to chew. Grapes fall into the same category.
“We are appealing to get sausages and grapes banned from all nursery settings ASAP so no other family has to go through the devastation and heartbreak that so many people have felt this weekend.”
Following the tragedy, Hertsmere Jewish Primary School emailed parents to inform them that sausages and grapes would now be removed from the menus offered to children.
Sadie Salt’s family have already raised almost £55,000 for COSMIC, a charity supporting children and neonatal intensive care units, after medics in intensive care spent two days trying to save the toddler.
A number of agencies are now investigating Sadie’s death. Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected at this extremely sad and difficult time.
“Multi-agency enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances around the incident. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
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