We spent seven years actively trying to grow our family and while we are blessed with our most loved and beautiful Alyssa, there was also a lot of heartbreak two miscarriages, four rounds of fertility treatment and the heartbreaking loss of our son, Thomas.

I am running this marathon and raising funds for Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) in memory of Thomas and with the hope standing up against stigma and taboos held around terminations for medical reasons.
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I remember our sixth month scan like it was yesterday.  4 August 2015.  Keith and I walked to the hospital together that morning.  We talked about our hopes and plans for our baby's future.  We laughed at how Alyssa wanted a sister and definitely not a brother.  We gave thanks that we made it to six months and I was feeling so well.  We were excited.  We were innocent and naive to what was about to happen.

An hour later our lives had changed forever.  We were told our baby was likely to have a terminal genetic abnormality.  We were told they could see holes in his heart.  We were told we needed to see other specialist doctors.  We became bereaved parents. We have never been the same again.

The hospital told us to call ARC and a few hours later when we stumbled home in shock and denial I called them.  It was Jane at ARC who slowly explained what the next scans would involve.  It was Jane who helped me work out what to say to Alyssa.  It was ARC's website that equipped me with facts and resources, questions to ask the doctors and practical help to plan for what was to come.

After Thomas' early birth a little over a week after that first horrible scan, it was on ARC's private community that I found some comfort.  It was on their private forum I asked for advice on how to handle Thomas' funeral and in the end, helped others.  It was through ARC a year later I connected in person with other bereaved mothers, finding even another woman I knew in 'the real world'. 

Why am I running and fundraising for ARC now?

Firstly, for Thomas.  It's been eight years.  As a family we miss him every day and it brings me comfort and healing to talk of him and still have him clearly part of us.

But I'm mainly running now because I want to contribute in both awareness and money to helping other mothers and families access the support and advice I did.  Our donations to ARC will go a long way.  

It is my strong belief that everyone deserves unbiased and supportive information and help in a healthcare crisis.  Whether it's cancer or the health of your unborn child and the mother carrying that child.  Our healthcare systems, women and families need charities like ARC.  

ARC is entirely funded by donations and while they are based in the UK, their online content and community is available globally.  Any support or help you can give will be so appreciated - thank you.

Please visit ARC's website to learn more - www.arc-uk.org