Why we're fundraising

Me and Kate lost our first baby, Eloise, in 2020. She was born at around 23 weeks, and was too small to survive. She was very tiny, but stayed with us for 90 minutes before she died.

After she died, in the midst of our grief and confusion, we were given a memory box from an organisation called SiMBA. The box contained hand and feet imprint sets, teddies and other special keepsakes. 

Our story continued when Kate became pregnant again in the  beginning 2021. unfortunately our little boy, Luca, was also born prematurely. Like his big sister he was strong, and lived with us for 40 minutes before he died.

After he died we also had a lovely memory box that helped us keep some special memories.

*Finally, our third baby was due before July 1, 2022. Sadly, we found out in mid-June that he had died. Gabriel was delivered a couple of days later on 17th June.

After our three losses, we're determined to raise as much money as possible to support other families after the death of a baby.

Why SiMBA?

After Eloise died, we were introduced to SiMBA in the form of a memory box. Packed with teddy bears, clay imprint kit, blankets and other keepsakes. It helped us to create some special memories to take home with us. This meant we didn't leave hospital entirely empty handed.

We later found out they also helped fund the bereavement room on the maternity ward (Serenity Suite), where we spent time with our babies after they died.

Nobody prepares to lose one baby, or two, but we’re so grateful to be gifted these beautiful memory boxes to help us cope with our grief. Whilst we tried to manage the emptiness that followed the death of our babies, it was a great comfort to leave with our box of memories.

We also found them useful for helping young children deal with their loss too. Eloise and Luca’s big sister Elodie now sleeps with  her matching teddy bears we gave to her little brother and sister.

Our fundraising

We want to help parents who suffer the same loss, so we’re raising money to gift as many 'memory boxes' we can. 

These are sent to hospitals and given to families when babies die before or after birth, or are stillborn.

To do this, we'll be taking part in the Yorkshire Ultra Challenge.  

I'll be doing the 100km (62 miles) challenge. Aiming to finish in less than 24 hours.

Bob will be doing the 50km (31 miles) challenge, joining me for the first half.

Thanks

We hope to raise as much money as possible for memory boxes, to make sure that grieving parents don’t leave hospital without their precious memories. 

If anything can be spared, the support this charity provides after the death of a baby is vital. It will mean so much to our family, and other grieving families.

Thank you!

SiMBA responds to the needs of those affected by the loss of a baby. We help families create precious memories with their baby and offer beautiful ways to honour and remember them, now and always. We do this by providing precious Memory Boxes, refurbishing Family Rooms, installing Trees of Tranquility, and coming together at special remembrance events. Please visit our website at simbacharity.org.uk for information on our services and how your support makes a difference.