Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

So you might be wondering why on earth I am doing this to myself? Me too! There are a couple of arms to this decision so I’ll explain why. 

The first is doing the marathon itself, I never thought I’d be able to run or be fit enough to even consider this. 2 years ago I really put my head into trying to get fit and lose weight. I am 40 this year so this was my target! I wanted to be fitter and feel happier!

When I started 2 and a half years ago, I couldn’t run for more than 1 minute without stopping, I have since lost 4 stone and although slow I am a runner! I now love running, it’s great for mental health as well as the fitness. So running a marathon is a challenge to really push how far I have come. 

The second arm is supporting the Miscarriage Association. Not something I often talk so much about these days but have never forgotten the support I had from them. 

In October 2005 after trying to get pregnant for a year, I was finally pregnant. So excited for Chloe to have a sibling! Then one evening I went to the toilet at work and saw blood, I fell apart. A trip to A&E and a lot of reassurance that it didn’t mean worst case scenario, I was sent home and waited 2 days for a scan. During that scan the doctor told me that my baby had died. I remember being ushered off into a room and talking about how this would be managed and then leaving the clinic walking through a room of pregnant mums. I had an awful experience in day surgery where no one seemed to understand why I was so upset! 

I was given contact details for the miscarriage association and put in touch with a lady called Janet who coordinated support in my area. I used online support groups and suddenly realised there were people out there who knew what I was going through. 

I went on to have 2 more miscarriages, each one just as painful as the last and I have never forgotten any of them. Being able to simply talk to people who had been or were going through the same thing got me through. 

The next pregnancy was tough, the miscarriage support group guided me through the worry and fear of a pregnancy after loss. Thankfully, I went on to have a happy healthy Rachel and then a few years later Edie joined the party too. 

Miscarriage is still such a taboo subject and it’s once you are there you realise how many of your nearest and dearest have been through something similar. The Miscarriage Association continue to help so many couples that we can’t be without them. 

Thank you for reading and thank you if you are able to donate even a small amount.