Why
does a 41-year-old mother of two decide she is going to run the 2010 London
Marathon?
Baby
Ginger and ARC
Nine years ago our
much wanted pregnancy with Baby Ginger ended in a termination after he was
found to have a very serious brain abnormality. Nothing can prepare you
for this. Luckily we were quickly put in touch with ARC (Antenatal
Results and Choices), a charity which provides non directive support to
parents throughout and after the antenatal screening and testing process.
Words cannot express how important their support was to us through this
terrible time and through our two subsequent, and luckily, healthy pregnancies
with Amelie and Mattie.
But ARC is also much more than
this...
ARC undertakes training for healthcare
professionals on how to support parents facing these situations. We were
incredibly fortunate to have been under the care of St
George’s Hospital, Tooting who have worked closely with ARC and were amazing.
However, through talking to other parents, many are not so fortunate.
ARC also acts,
when invited as a national voice, representing the views of parents in
Parliament, the media, government bodies and the NHS. Losing a baby in
this way is highly emotive and its important to have a calm and clear voice
representing parents.
ARC is a very small charity and the
topics they address are difficult to talk about, so funding is limited.
I decided a long time ago to run the
London marathon for them in Baby Ginger’s memory, but turning 40 made me
realise I might actually have to do it soon if I was to make it round! Training
is well underway so don’t be surprised to see me pounding the streets of South
West London in inappropriate lycra.
Please give as much as you are able, no
matter how little, to ensure ARC is able to continue supporting expectant and
bereaved parents.
o
£10 pays
for an information and support pack for a bereaved or expectant parent
o
£20 pays for the website for a day – an essential aid for parents and health
professionals
o
£30 will ensure ARC handbooks go to a hospital to be available to parents on
hearing bad news
o
£50 will give training to a volunteer to provide local support to bereaved and
anxious parents
o
£100 will pay for the upkeep of the helpline for one day – often the first point of
call for a distressed parent
o
£450 will pay for the postage for the a mail out of the ARC Newsletter to 4000
bereaved parents
o
£1000 will pay for a full days training for midwives and doctors to provide better
care for parents
Thank you!
Tamsin
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 - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.