It was the 30 July 2008, a beautiful sunny day at the start of the summer holidays. Little did my wife, Carolyn and I know that by the end of the day, our life as we knew it, the life that we loved, the life that made us happy and secure, would disappear forever. Carolyn was at a friend’s house and had been enjoying a lovely day with our three children in their swimming pool. They were all tidying up ready to return home. They had replaced the cover on the pool, hung out their wet towels and had been back in the house for tea. Jessica was playing in front of Carolyn and in the blink of an eye she was gone. Frantically Carolyn and my twin daughters searched the house and garden calling for her all the time, expecting to find her up to her usual mischief. Their hearts were racing and panic was beginning to set in. Then Their worst fears were confirmed as Carolyn pulled back the cover of the pool. Jessica, our little Angel had drowned, she was 21 months old.

We do not feel that “time is a healer”. We have been without her for three and a half years now, in child bereavement terms that is five minutes. We will never accept the reality of the fact that we will not be able to see, touch or hear Jessica ever again.

We don’t know how we have coped so far, each day gets more and more painful and we miss her like you can only imagine. Having to live a life when your child has died is unbearable; every day is a marathon; the loneliness, the emptiness, the silence…..

In our new unfamiliar life we have had the help and support of an amazing organisation called the Child Bereavement Charity. We feel this is such an important charity as none of us knows when in an instant our lives could change forever, be turned upside down, ripped to shreds and you are left not knowing who to turn to or where to go for help. The Child Bereavement Charity provides specialised support, information and training to all those affected when a baby or child dies, or when a child is bereaved.

Along with raising our other three beautiful girls, Carolyn and I do all we can to support the charity in terms of fundraising and raising awareness of the charity. In 2009 we held a ball. In 2010 people enjoyed a 50’s & 60’s night. In 2011 my wife and I completed the London Marathon.

This year 2012, holds the challenge of the London to Amsterdam bike ride.

Never did I think that I would be so passionate about fundraising but the satisfaction and personnal achievement I have had from keeping my daughters memory alive and raising over £30,000 has been amazing.

We thank everyone that has supported us in the past and hope that you will continue to support us on our journey.

Thank you

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