In 2011, we got pregnant with our first child. It was an exciting and slightly nerve-wrecking time....we had our first scan and it all became very real. Soon afterwards though it became clear that things would not go to plan. We then had a rollercoaster ride of a pregnancy, not knowing from one day to another if our baby would die in-utero or if we would get to a live delivery. It was hard, but we were so lucky to have amazing support from the Fetal Medicine team at the UHW, Cardiff. 

On 24 April 2012, at 13:12, Aneurin Fred Owens was born. All 1lb 2oz of him. He was small but absolutely perfect and beautiful. Despite all the challenges he had faced in-utero he was alive. He was whisked to the Neonatal Unit, where over the next four days the team did everything they could do. Aneurin born all the interventions with bravery and valour. But sadly, he was too small to fight off the final infection. He died in our arms on 27 April 2012, with words of love in his ears. 

The death of a child is incomparable. It is wrong. It is unfair. It destroys everything around you. But we were so lucky, we had support from Sands. Without the support of our local group, Cardiff and Newport Sands, I'm not sure if we would have got through that first year. 

Nearly seven years on, I am setting myself a big challenge: RUN A HALF MARATHON! This is a big deal for me, I've never run this far before. But I have the greatest inspiration to spur me on, Aneurin. Because in his bravery he inspires me to push myself to do things I don't think I can do. 

And hopefully as I set myself a big personal challenge, I can raise some money for Sands. That money will help fund research to help bring down the rates of stillbirth and neonatal death. It will help support parents and families going through the same heartbreak as us. 

Thank you for any donation you can make. It means the world to us, and will help inspire me when I no doubt wonder what I've let myself in for!!

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