We’re a group of (mostly) nurses who are running the Hairy Haggis Team Relay Race as part of the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon. We have 4 teams, all running to raise money for Held In Our Hearts in memory of Sam.

Held In Our Hearts is a charity that has become particularly meaningful to us since the death of our colleague Kirsten’s son Sam, in 2022. They support families dealing with the devasting loss of a baby by offering counselling and peer support. Every £50 raised will pay for a counselling session for a family, and we know how much of a lifeline this service is.

Kirsten’s Story:

“In the middle of a night shift, I went into unexpected premature labour at 28 weeks. Everything happened so fast. After being seen in triage, I was quickly taken into theatre for an emergency c-section where Sam, my baby boy, was born. He was immediately transferred to NICU, and despite the amazing care he received, Sam died just 18 hours later. There are no words to describe the pain that my husband and I felt in that moment. I think something in me broke that day, and I genuinely didn’t see how I was going to keep going.

Held In Our Hearts reached out to us not long after Sam’s death. We were paired up with a peer supporter (a fellow bereaved parent) and offered counselling, which I gratefully accepted. Slowly, we began to piece ourselves back together. We were given a space to be heard, a place to feel safe and supported during one of the most devasting and isolating experiences we’ve ever been through. I will never be able to thank the wonderful team at HIOH enough for everything they have done for my family and what they continue to do for countless others.

I keep going for you, little Sam.”

We’re hoping to raise £2000 in Sam’s memory, and it would mean the world to us if you could help us reach our target.