On 29th May 2022 I will finally be running my first ever marathon on behalf of Simpson's Memory Box Appeal. I originally signed up to this event back in January 2020 but it was unfortunately postponed until this May. It will be great to finally get out there and run the 26.2 miles (said no one ever?)

Training up to this point has gone well. This includes dark nights complete with gale force winds, snow, sleet and rain. Great British weather. Spring is finally upon us so I am feeling good about my final weeks of training. So far, my 'bad knee' (three previous operations), has held up remarkably well.....too well?! 

The lead up to the marathon includes over 550 training miles, so no matter how big or small your donation, it will be greatly appreciated. Not only by myself, but by those that will benefit by accessing the support that SiMBA offer. 

SiMBA is there to support anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby during pregnancy or close to the time of birth. Please visit their website to learn more about how they support families to rebuild their lives - simbacharity.org.uk

• An estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage (1 in 5 if we only count women who realised/reported the miscarriage)
• Around 11 in 1,000 pregnancies are ectopic
• About 1 in 100 women in the UK experience recurrent miscarriages (3 or more in a row)

What SiMBA does

• Donates Memory Boxes to help families to gather precious items of the time that they have to spend with their baby. 
• They refurbish Family Rooms giving families a peaceful, homely place in the hospital to spend time with their baby.
• In conjunction with CHAS they offer free advanced bereavement and palliative care study days for midwives and hospital staff.
• Adding a leaf onto their Tree of Tranquillity shows parents that they are not alone in their loss and acts as a place to remember and reflect. 
• They also offer monthly bereavement support groups across Scotland, 24 hour online support and organise family friendly awareness events throughout the year. For the first time ever, they're working with Support Group Facilitators to run virtual support group sessions via Zoom. These sessions are for anyone affected by the loss of a baby.

Thank you for taking the time to read this page.

Wish me luck!

Alex