I was adamant not to make our story sad or upsetting but actually it is sad and it is upsetting.

Dexter was loved from the moment we found out I was pregnant. I had an easy pregnancy and extra scans throughout just to check he was growing ok because I'm on medication for epilepsy. There were never ever any concerns.

On the 27th October 2012, we were told his heart had stopped beating and it was the start of what can only be described as our nightmare. I was induced and he was born the following day. Despite clinging to the hope we'd hear him cry there was nothing. He weighed  6lbs 15 1/2 ounces and is beautiful.

I only had 9 days to go until his due date but that was the day we buried him.   

Those closest to us have seen the devastation Dexter's death has caused and have seen that a part of us has gone forever too. Our lives will never be the same but if one baby can live that would have died, if one family can be prevented from going through this hell then Dexter didn't die for nothing.

SANDS have been there for us, at the end of the phone, an email and coming to see us when we were too scared to go to a group meeting. They fund research projects and raise awareness in the media, amongst the government and policymakers. The UK has the highest number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in the developed world - 17 a day and it's wrong, it's so so wrong.        

The obstacle course is on 6th October 2013. It's called Tough Mudder and was designed by the Special Forces. There is ice, mud, fire and 10,000 volts of electricity involved. People who we don't know have committed to doing it as well as our wonderful friends and family who we will never be able to thank enough for everything they have done and everything they continue to do.

It requires strength and stamina, neither of which the majority of us have got. More importantly though it requires shed loads of determination, the ability to work as a team and the belief that you will not and cannot fail. That we have got. The other stuff we can work on.     

www.toughmudder.co.uk 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please help give us the encouragement to keep going and help SANDS carry on fighting to reduce the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths.