Bradford Cathedral Provost John Richardson gave his personal backing to the Lord Mayor's Appeal as he described the moment his own baby died.

At a Civic Service yesterday to mark the election of Councillor Tony Miller as Lord Mayor, he revealed during the sermon how he still struggled with the tragedy after 17 years.

It followed an announcement by the Lord Mayor and his wife, Elsie, who told how they had picked the Special Care Baby Unit for their appeal because of the death of their baby twins 38 years ago.

They felt that if their baby boy and girl had been born in 1998, they would have lived because of the technology and expertise now on offer.

The Very Reverend John Richardson told the packed cathedral how he and his wife, Sue, had gone to routinely check on their sleeping baby son Ben during a stay in the Lake District.

"This time it was different. He had stopped breathing.

"She tried to resuscitate him. In 20 minutes he was in the children's hospital on a life support machine, in a special care baby unit surrounded by incubators and doctors and nurses trying their best.

"Fourteen hours later that baby died."

He said he became acutely aware of the value of a child.

"Even now after 17 years I know that the living God still continues to break into my agony as he cares deeply," he told the silent congregation.

"Children can slip out of our hands but never through God's."

A collection for the appeal followed the sermon and prayers were said for those involved in the schools review as well as all those in positions of authority.

Hymns included the children's favourite All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Then, joined by uniformed organisations from the forces and scouts and a marching band, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress walked to Centenary Square.

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