As many of you will know, we recently ran the Virgin London Marathon and are now training for our next challenge, 3 cross country marathons over one month:
Pilgrim Way – 19 Sept 2010 – Farnham
The Clarendon Marathon – 3 October 2010 – Salisbury , Broughton, Winchester
Beachy Head Marathon – 23 October 2010 – Eastbourne.
Whilst we run these marathons, we will be raising money towards funding a bereavement suite for Kingston Hospital Maternity Department, on behalf of the local charity SURREY SANDS (the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity). We are doing this in memory of Daisy Wilson, a friend’s baby who died there when she was just 3 hours old. When Daisy died there was no dedicated room available for her family to spend just a few precious hours with her after her death.
Daisy’s parents have committed to raising £5000 to fund the creation of a dedicated SANDS room, a suitable room has been identified and SURREY SANDS will oversee the project ensuring that all funds are appropriately administered.
A message from Lorna Bland Chairman of Surrey Sands:
Surrey Sands is run by bereaved parents for bereaved parents. We are immensely grateful to Matt for taking up this challenge for the benefit of our charity. Losing a baby is a traumatic and life changing experience, the impact of which is rarely understood by those who have not been through it.
The support Sands offers starts within the maternity units with the provision of specially modified Sands rooms offering parents a more homely less clinical environment in which to spend a precious few hours together as a family. Memories created during this brief time have to last a lifetime before parents say goodbye to their baby for ever. The environment they are in during this time makes a significant difference to the memories they are left with.
As a self funded group we rely entirely on donations to complete our work supporting parents through their loss.
We are immensely grateful to Matt d Noel for this kind gesture in memory of Daisy, no doubt it will be a fun yet emotional experience and on behalf of Surrey Sands wish them good luck with the challenge.''
You may not know Daisy’s family, but I hope that you will do all you can to support future parents who suffer the sudden, and tragic death of their baby by sponsoring us with our Marathon triple challenge.
Donating via Just Giving is quick and simple, please click on the link below.
All donations, whatever the size big or small are really appreciated, every £ really does count. Gift Aid is retained by National Sands however 100% of your donation will go to Surrey Sands. Any surplus funds at the end of the Kingston Hospital Project will be used towards the creation, maintenance or upgrade of facilities at any of the other hospitals Surrey Sands are responsible for.
Thank you for taking time to support us,
Matt and Noel.
