UPDATE - The 2020 Paris marathon was cancelled due to Coronavirus. I purchased a place for the 2022 Paris marathon on 3/4/22 but didn’t train much and had no one to go with! Third time lucky I really will do the marathon on 2/4/23 and Jeremy will come with me.

So in April 2023  I will be running my 5th Marathon,  my 4th in Paris. Each time I take on these challenges I choose a charity to support, both to incentivise me through the training and because I am personally driven to help others. On this occasion I have chosen to support SANDS - The Stilbirth and Neonatal Death Society.

SANDS invest and work tirelessly into researching causes of babyloss to reduce stillbirth; but importantly, recognising that not all loss can be avoided, SANDS also works to support parents at their time of devastating loss and beyond.

In 2005, before becoming friends with the Walsh family, I became aware of their loss as the shock of losing a newborn resonates around communities. Petra and Jonathan lost their first child, a son they named Owen, following an uneventful 40 weeks of pregnancy.This year he would have been 18 so my target is £1800.  In Petra’s words.......

‘Stillbirth and babyloss is the most devastating of losses, not least because it is so unexpected, so completely contrary to the joy you are expecting, but also because it is almost taboo. It’s barely acknowledged as a risk during pregnancy, despite an average of thirteen babies still being stillborn in the UK everyday, one of the worst rates in the developed world.

Our own experience is sadly not unusual, we lost our much wanted baby despite a text book pregnancy and good, regular maternity care. Owen was our first baby. I watched my diet, counted kicks and read countless baby manuals! We researched best buggies, purchased all manner of equipment, and as our due date approached, we impatiently waited.

At 40 weeks, with no warning or reduction in movements, he suddenly stopped moving. Within a few hours my instincts were telling me something was wrong, but what could possibly be wrong? I was 40 weeks pregnant, surely this was the onset of labour, he was getting into position, reserving energy? I remember rationalising with myself, but I still felt the urge to seek medical reassurance. Unfortunately that reassurance was never to come, the following hours and days were devastating as we learnt our baby’s heart had stopped beating, and while we would of course soon be delivering and meeting our much wanted Son, we would immediately be faced with saying goodbye.

I can’t begin to explain how it feels to lose a baby. I’m not inexperienced in dealing with loss, I’ve personally lost a sibling while in my teens and a parent in my early twenties. Both devastating losses, but nowhere near as isolating. It is only because of the support of SANDS we were able to rationalise and eventually come to terms with our loss. We learnt we weren’t completely alone, we were reassured and supported through our subsequent pregnancies, and went on to have four fabulous daughters for whom we are eternally grateful.

SANDS trained the midwives who supported us though our delivery. SANDS provided the memory box we cherish to this day, and put in place procedures to capture footprints, locks of hair, and record other precious moments. SANDS funds maternity rooms where grieving parents can spend precious time with their babies. SANDS trains befrienders to ensure support in every community for anybody requiring support, or just requiring to know they are not the only only person this has ever happened to. Telephone support, online forums, and most importantly from someone who has experienced babyloss, raising the profile, addressing the stigma and making it ok to talk!

I am so incredibly grateful to Claire for dedicating this race to the memory of Owen and all other babies taken too soon. I know exactly how valuable these funds will be to SANDS who struggle for profile against the larger charities. How valuable any funds raised will be to the 13 families losing a baby in the UK today, tomorrow and sadly every day, recurring. So please, if you do have the ability to support Claire in this selfless endeavour of hers, please do, and thank you.’ Xx

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.