On 22nd October at 5:12am we were gifted with the early arrival of our son Phoenix Harry Luke Benson at 37 weeks 2 days weighing just 6lb 4oz, 5 weeks and 2 days later on 28th November 2019 our world was shattered when our beautiful boy fell asleep for the last time. 

Throughout his short life we dealt with so much as a family, a difficult delivery, a postpartum haemorrhage immediately following his arrival, maternal sepsis & neonatal jaundice resulting in Phoenix & mummy staying at James Cook, then daily trips for IV antibiotics, we spent most of the first 3 weeks of his life at the hospital.  Throughout this time we received exemplary care from all at South Tees trust, every body went above and beyond to look after our beautiful boy & us, they supported us going home and at home they continued to care for us & do everything they could to help us recover & give Phoenix the start to life he deserved. 

On the night he passed we were by his side as the doctors, midwives & nurses fought with everything they had to save our beautiful boy, again went above & beyond for him and us, and when they could do no more the compassion & love they showed us I don't even have words for. Their hearts broken alongside ours those wonderful people dressed, cleaned and helped us hold our boy, and held us together when our world fell apart.

When he passed I didn't know if I would ever run again, I didn't know if I would ever feel strong enough or be able to do something that was such a huge part of my life.

I'm not strong now, but 10 days ago his daddy helped me make a promise to my baby that I would try to run that day, that I would try to take a step for him, and I managed it, without a doubt I am broken, and it's no longer the easy fun filled escape it was, but every day since then I've made the same promise and kept it, I'll keep trying every day for him. 

Last year I gained a place in London marathon which I deferred to 2020 due to being pregnant with Phoenix, today with Phoenix's daddy's encouragement i've promised my baby bird I will train for and run London for him, I will honour him by getting strong again and being a mum he can be proud of, but in doing so we want to help the amazing people at South Tees Neonatal to help other babies and families, so our little spaceman's legacy can be something that saves lives and that our loss can bring hope to some. 

Every mile I run, every day I run and every race I run this year I'm doing for this cause. It's not going to be easy, I'm not a runner anymore, I'm a broken mother, but I'm fighting to honour my boy so please help us to help the neonatal unit at South Tees trust. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our page 

All our love 

Sarah, Luke & Phoenix 

From the ashes, a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring.

J.R.R. Tolkien