This event is In honour of our daughter Saidbh, who was stillborn on July 18, 2016.

We are Raising Funds as a group to support the charity SANDS, (Stillbirth and Neo-Natal Death Society), who provide support for anyone affected by the death of a baby.

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To experience the stillbirth of your baby is utterly devastating. In the wake of such tragedy, the grief that unfolds is profound. Its effects ripple through every aspect of life, from livelihoods to relationships, and continue to do so indefinitely.

Your hopes and expectations are suddenly and traumatically taken away from you. In this state, it is extremely difficult to know where to turn to for support, leaving one feeling overcome with helplessness.

However SANDS, is the first port of call, eventually, for most bereaved parents. In those first harrowing days, weeks and months, SANDS was our life line. No matter the time of day or night, online, by phone, or at one of the many local support groups, we could always be sure of a response; a listening ear, a comforting word.

www.sands.org.uk

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And so as a way of supporting those who have supported us, we have created our first fundraising event, the Coast to Coast challenge. A two day journey, from Bude in North Devon, to Dartmouth on the south coast of Devon. A Route of over 120km, through the heart of Dartmoor.

A journey which passes through many places that hold memories of our time with Saidbh in the womb.

Day 1 - Cycling 100km, from Sandy Mouth on the North Devon Coast of Devon, straight up and over Dartmoor a total of 1200m elevation gain, to our camp site for the night.

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It was through SANDS that we first made contact with other bereaved
parents, which at that time was an overwhelming relief and provided
much needed solace. The charity facilitate numerous online forums exclusively for bereaved parents and extended family. It is here that one is encouraged to begin and to share that heart-breaking conversation about their personal experience of stillbirth. This, in itself, is one of the very first steps in a life long process of acceptance, rehabilitation, and eventually .... hope.

SANDS Purpose

• to support anyone affected by the death of a baby.


• to work in partnership with healthcare professionals to ensure
   that bereaved parents and families receive the best possible care.


• to promote improvements in practice and fund research to help reduce the number of babies dying.

Talking about the death of a baby is incredibly difficult. We need to break the silence, and end the stigma. Talking, whether with a counsellor or with family and friends, is integral to any bereaved parents recovery. It is only by talking, listening and sharing that one can ever hope to recognize, understand and deal with the many faces of grief, and then begin to heal and rebuild.

Many bereaved parents choose to raise funds for SANDS, its a way of helping all the other people who are starting out on this journey, whilst also coming together and remembering our children.

Read more about SANDS:

https://www.sands.org.uk/about-sands/who-we-are/why-sands-exists

We would like to thank the following for their involvement and support in this group event:

Neil Pollard, Helen Boswell, James Fellows, Daisy Nightingale, Paul Newton, Kate Marshall, Fran Newman, Oliver Halls, Paul Van Oestren, Alex Kilpatrick, Jack Skuze, Kate Davy, Mark Austin, Sappho Janmaat, Natalia Debczak-Debski.

Thanks for your support - Helena, Chris & Fionn X

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.