I will be running the London Marathon in memory of my daughter, Eden Walsh on her birthday - 23rd April 2023.

On Christmas day 2021, Emma surprised me with the most amazing news that she was pregnant. We were both so overjoyed to be expecting our first child and couldn't wait for what was to come in 2022.

 As the months went by, we spread the news with friends and family, even buying outfits and toys for our future baby. 

On 12th April 22, Emma and I went in for our routine 20-week scan where we were told there was a large amount of fluid on our daughter's brain. We were urgently referred to Fetal Medicine and had an agonising wait to understand what this meant, we tried to stay positive, hoping things would be okay.

 Fetal Medicine scanned  Eden and diagnosed her with severe ventriculomegaly, a condition neither of us had ever heard of. Our hearts were shattered and we were utterly devastated beyond words can describe. It felt like we were living a nightmare that we wanted to wake up from but never did. On the 23rd of April, we sadly welcomed our beautiful little girl into this world.

Following the most traumatic loss, we had amazing support from our friends and family although very few people we knew could truly understand our heartbreaking experience. 

Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) charity helped us learn to cope. We spoke to volunteers at the charity who we could call at any time that provided invaluable support and continue to do so. They have online forums where mums and dads can share their stories and publications which would never exist if it wasn't for fundraising. 

They also provide invaluable training and support to healthcare professionals to provide the best care to every parent who faces suspected or devasting diagnosed fetal anomalies. 

As you can imagine it is extremely difficult to share our story with you all, but I would be forever grateful if you could sponsor my marathon run, in honour of Eden and to support an amazing charity that helps parents just like me during one of the toughest experiences you could ever have.

You never think it'll happen to you.

Thank you, Matt x