I  come to the end of my fundraising with Tommy's,  I want to say a huge thank you to everybody who has donated so far, myself and Karen have been truly overwhelmed by people's generosity and words of support. All raffle prizes for the boxing memorabilia have now been distributed. I will continue with fundraising efforts in memory of Jude but will be concentrating on supporting bereaved parents of stillborn babies through Sands - www.justgiving.com/race4jude2.  Thank you all again. Stephen & Karen X

Our story

Our first baby was due on 31st October 2014. 3 days after due date, whilst with a friend, my wife, Karen had some concerns about our baby and decided it was best to attend the hospital. I received a phone call from our friend, who asked me to come to the hospital. At this moment, we were unaware of any bad news.  

Excitement and joy overtook me., I grabbed the overnight and baby's bags, which had been ready for several weeks. In the short 5 minute drive to the hospital, all I could think was, "This is it, I am going to be a Daddy!".  

I raced into the hospital, struggling with the weight of the bags, as I reached the labour ward. I excitedly said my wife was here. After giving her name, I was led towards a room. I saw the faces of the nurses and doctor and immediately felt something was not right. As I entered the room, Karen had just been told the terrible news that there was has no heartbeat. I will never forget the feeling of total loss and heartbreak at that moment, as Karen and I held each other. We only had a scan 2 weeks previously, with nothing suggesting anything abnormal. Karen now had the knowledge that she still had to give birth to our baby,  knowing that he would not be coming home with us.  

We were told to go home and return the following day for Karen to be induced. However later that evening she went into labour. We returned to the hospital and after about 9 hours,  Karen gave birth to our beautiful baby boy, Jude Joseph Doran. As I held my baby son for the first time, at that moment, I felt like the proudest father in the world. Despite us knowing that Jude will never open his eyes, never hold my finger with his chunky hands and never kick a football with his daddy, nothing can ever take that moment away from me.   
 

The statistics in the UK and Ireland for stillbirth are shocking:  

The UK has one of the worst still birth rates in the developed world. It is 15 times more common than cot death, yet so little is known about it in comparison. There are also similar statistics in Ireland. In addition, due to lack of research,  the reason for stillbirth in over 1/3 of cases remain unexplained. This includes Jude.   

I have been raising money for Tommy's - funding research into stillbirth. Further information about this charity is available at www.tommys.org. I have completed several races/marathons over the year, having completed:  

It will never be possible to explain the pain and hurt we experience on a daily basis. It is a pain that we would never wish on anyone.I am aware that so many of you donate generously for charities throughout the year. If any good can come of this tragedy,  and in memory of our beautiful baby boy Jude, please help me raise some much needed funds over the next year to assist Tommy's with their research. 

Thank you

Stephen and Karen