Tim Taylor-Smith and Chloe Wynne are running the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 6 April 2025 in aid of Group B Strep Support, and in memory of Zachary Taylor-Smith. Please sponsor us to run all 21.1km (13.1 miles) through central London, past Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s and the Tower of London!

In memory of Zachary Taylor-Smith

Tim and his wife, Hannah, welcomed their newborn baby son, Zachary, into the world on 17 November 2022. Zac tragically passed away just 14 hours after birth. Unbeknownst to Tim and Hannah, Zac had contracted an infection, Group B Strep (GBS), during labour or his delivery. Many women carry GBS and it is not harmful to them. However, when a baby - especially one that is premature, as Zac was – contracts it, it can cause serious health issues and fatality.

In 2023, Chloe was working with Nicola Wainwright in the Clinical Negligence Team at JMW Solicitors when they were called up to Derby to meet with Hannah and Tim, who were naturally bereft but also extremely determined. They had done a lot of research on GBS in the time since Zac’s passing, and were understandably outraged that it wasn’t a topic that had been brought to their attention during pregnancy. The NHS do not currently offer GBS testing for pregnant people. Should a pregnant person want a test, they can pay privately. Though, in Hannah’s case, she didn’t have the opportunity to do so because she hadn’t been informed about the risk of infection to begin with. She felt extremely disempowered that her option to get tested – and therefore to be able to be treated with antibiotics during labour to prevent Zac falling ill – had been taken away from her.

It was a privilege for Nicola and Chloe to represent the family through Zac’s Inquest and associated medical negligence claim, and so when the opportunity presented itself to run the LLHM in memory of Zac and in aid of Group B Strep Support (Charity No: 1112065), Tim and Chloe felt compelled to sign up. Lucy Marlow, an avid distance runner, will also be joining Tim and Chloe. Lucy feels equally passionate about helping GBSS raise awareness of Group B Step and achieve their goal of stopping Group B Strep infections in babies.

Zac’s memory is very much kept alive by his loving family, and he now has a legacy of his own in educating others about GBS testing and treatment. Please donate generously and share Zach’s story.

Listen to Hannah and Tim in their own words: Zachary Taylor-Smith: Parents whose baby died after 'failures' in care say 'every day is a struggle' | ITV News Central

About Group B Strep Support (GBSS)

GBSS is the world’s leading charity working to eradicate GBS infection in babies. They educate the public, doctors and midwives about the infections, and provide information and support to affected families, including via a dedicated Helpline. It is completely independent and mainly supported by kind donations. They want all pregnant people to be informed about GBS, to be offered the opportunity of a test as part of their antenatal care, and to be informed about the key signs of GBS in babies.

They campaign to improve awareness of GBS infection and for the introduction of effective and accurate testing.

If you know a pregnant person and want to inform them about GBS testing, you can share this page with them: Why and when should I test for group B Strep? - Group B Strep Support

GBS Statistics

On average in the UK and Republic of Ireland, every month:

• 66 babies are diagnosed with group B Strep infection

• 56 babies make a full recovery

• 6 babies survive with long-term physical or mental disabilities

• 4 babies die from their group B Strep infection