<p>On the 15th April 2012, I&nbsp;am running&nbsp;the Paris marathon in aid of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #810081;">Group B Streptococcus (GBS).</span></span><span style="color: #810081;"> </span></p> <p><span style="color: #810081;">&nbsp;</span><br><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Group B Streptococcus (GBS)</strong></span><br><br>Earlier this year, very dear friends of mine tragically lost their second daughter, Chloe Annabel, who was stillborn after contracting Group B Streptococcus (GBS) during birth.</p> <p>GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborn babies in the UK. Without preventative medicine, GBS infects around 700 babies each year in the UK, of whom sadly 75 die and another 40 suffer long-term problems as a result. And yet most of these infections could be prevented.</p> <p>Tragically, it is not normal practice in the UK to screen for GBS in pregnant women, however the test is a simple swab, which is painless and safe and is performed routinely on pregnant women in other countries such as USA, France, Australia, as well as many others.</p> <p>So the money will go to raising awareness of GBS and help improving support for those affected. Please give generously to a worthy cause.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">&nbsp;</span></strong></p> <p><br><br></p>